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Click here to see a gallery of Vernette Seward's photos from the Memorial Caravan on May 16th, 2020 |
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Tributes to Eric Lowery __________________________________________
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In Loving Memory Our Beautiful and Beloved
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Eric Lowery’s soul-stirring and inspirational words are the words of a social justice campaigner, an equal rights activist, and a visionary leader. In his life and life’s work, he lived as the embodiment of the ideal reformer, the beautiful individual who was dedicated to securing all social and political liberties, and one whom Frederick Douglass always recognized and embraced as a “whole-souled friend.” As it was for Frederick Douglass, so it was for Eric Lowery, there was never any room for “halfness.” Across past, present, and future generations, Lowery joined Douglass in counseling us all to “work together” from all the “different sectors of life” and with our “whole-souls” to see, to feel, and to understand the “need to improve our quality of life through the activities we do together.” Eric Lowery lived by Frederick Douglass’s undying commitment to changing society by changing lives, changing hearts, and changing souls. Separated by centuries, Lowery and Douglass were joined together by indivisible spirit bonds in their united belief in the unending fight for social justice. As Frederick Douglass and Eric Lowery were only too powerfully and painfully aware, a social justice that is not only real and genuine but that will survive against all onslaughts, is only ever possible by the soul-transforming power of a compassionate and courageous love: above all, a collective love that is shared by us all. As Douglass all his life proclaimed, “where love is there is happiness.” And yet, to love all is to risk all. All their lives, Douglass and Lowery took every risk in their shared “whole-souled” belief that it is only by coming together across all the “different sectors of life” that anyone, let alone all of us, can find a way to transform our individual stories of suffering, of struggle, and of sacrifice into shared stories of survival. I had the precious gift of meeting Eric Lowery just two years ago in 2018 when I came to Easton to share the life stories not only of Frederick Douglass but of Anna Murray, his wife and Rosetta and Annie, his daughters, as well as Lewis Henry, Frederick Jr., and Charles Remond Douglass, his sons. Their lives of sacrifice and suffering tell us that the “struggle in the cause of liberty” was the work not of Frederick Douglass alone but of every member of the Anna Murray and Frederick Douglass family. An intergenerational fight for a “new dawn of freedom” was the Douglass family business. Just as “everyone” in the Douglass family “lent a hand” in their shared labors to end the pain of all “suffering humanity,” so Eric and Harriette Lowery and everyone in the Frederick Douglass Honor Society rely on their “united power” to “work together” to “improve our quality of life.” Words fail me when I even begin to attempt to do justice to Eric Lowery’s “whole-souled” power. In the precious moments we spent together, I felt blessed to be in the presence of such an emotionally and spiritually beautiful human being. One of the treasured memories that everyone who knew Frederick Douglass carried in their hearts after his passing was his kindness. And just as Douglass was loved for his “great bigness of heart” as he felt for everyone in pain and never hesitated to share his healing love to soothe their wounds, so Eric Lowery lived a life of heart-transforming kindness and a soul-reaching empathy that has touched and transformed us all. To all of Eric Lowery’s beloved family and friends, I share the words Frederick Douglass himself wrote to one of his closest friends whose loss of a loved one was too much to bear: “my heart is with you.”
Celeste-Marie Bernier
__________________________________________ I remember the day you told me that I was blessed to be able to call you Baba. In my mind, I had been calling you this for years. You and Mama Harriette had won my heart the first time I met you. I can still see her running in the Elks for the first day of our exercise class (nothing unusual there! Lol) I remember the day we had our first meeting to organize the committee to “Honor Frederick Douglass!” I remember all the moments in between until the statue was unveiled June 2011. I remember all the random meetings we, the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, had to continue uplifting the community. I remember you always being there, always being present, always being the consummate leader, President and most importantly friend. I remember thanking God that Quentin was by my side to witness a what a strong Black Man will do for his family and his community. I remember the day I had to tell you and Mama Harriette that I was leaving to start the next chapter of my life here in North Carolina. I remember you both coming to North Carolina to witness that beginning. The beautiful toast you gave Derek & I that night after we all retired back to our rooms. I remember the day I was told you were sick and as the reports came back over this lengthy time span, I remember the dread setting into my being. I remember January 25, 2020. The day you surprised Mom by coming out to her 70th birthday get-together. I ran across the parking lot and hugged you so tightly. I fought back tears that day. I could tell you were tired. The battle was getting to you but, you persevered! You showed the same spirit that I always admired. You NEVER stopped fighting. As you became weary, I knew you just wanted to make sure that Mama Harriette and Bo were going to be okay. Once you felt that in your spirit you knew it was time. We didn’t talk often but, I knew you were there if I needed you. I knew I could call Mama Harriette and she would get your input. I know that as we get older we lose those we care about. I hope you know that YOU are that person for me but I will carry you in my heart. I love you Baba. Rest in Paradise.
__________________________________________ Frederick Douglass wrote, “Poets, prophets and reformers are all picture-makers -- and this ability is the secret of their power and of their achievements. They see what ought to be by the reflection of what is, and endeavor to remove the contradiction.” Eric Lowery was a beloved husband, father, friend, and community leader who helped us all see the big picture. He challenged himself and each of us to build bridges across divides and make our community stronger and more just. With a strong intellect, wonderful smile, big heart, and sometimes mischievous gleam in his eyes, Eric touched our lives. His memory is a blessing.
__________________________________________ I don’t know why, but when it comes to friends, I’ve always preferred women. Well, maybe that’s not true, maybe I do know why. Still, for most of my life and for whatever reason, in pretty much every place I’ve ever lived, the number of close male friends I’ve had could be numbered on one hand. If you were to ask me to name the men here in Talbot County who would end up in that one-handed count, Eric Lowery would leap to mind. There were so many things to love about Eric, but as a man one of his greatest qualities was his acceptance. Eric always put you at your ease. Some men, when placed in a room with other men (and especially if there are women present), feel the need to one-up and out-maneuver every other man in the room, regardless of the agenda or the topic under discussion. Not Eric. Eric was comfortable in his bones. He didn’t feel he had to prove anything to anyone. And, as a result, he was a joy to be with. If you had a good idea, he would call it good without hesitation. I can’t tell you how important that is in life, what it meant to me when, from time to time, Eric approved of something I said. And I loved to hear him laugh. Eric had a wonderful chuckling laugh that seemed to rise up straight out of his heart. Once again, it put everyone at ease. When Eric laughed, the world seemed a better place. And whatever the topic under discussion, however difficult or fraught, it seemed manageable because Eric Lowery was there and he had found something to laugh about. God I will miss him. I loved that picture they used of him in The Talbot Spy this week. You take one look at that photograph, one look at the smile on his face, and you know this is a man who is approachable, this is a man it will be a joy to work with. Oh, I would give anything to have him back. A few years ago I happened upon Eric’s lovely bride, Harriette, in the produce section at Giant. Standing together, chatting over the tomato bins, we somehow got on the topic of fishing, the fact that Eric liked to fish. I’m sure she had no idea what that news did for me. My father taught me to fish. I loved Dad very much, and, now that he is gone, fishing has become a way for me to, in a sense, be with him again. Doubtless this explains why, except when I go with Melissa, I always fish alone these days. I haven’t fished with another male since I was a kid. But when I learned Eric liked to fish, I immediately had a vision of the two of us out together in a boat, plugging away for largemouth bass. I’m guessing this was because Eric reminded me of Dad, who was also a good and honorable man, a man who made everyone feel good about being around him. I think I had thought that, in a way, fishing with Eric would bring Dad back for me, renew the experience of fishing with him. Feeling, like Eric, no need to out-compete other males, I know Dad would approve of the idea, like to see me out in a boat fishing with Eric. Of course I do still get to see Dad fishing. Every night, in my prayers, I watch him work his fly back and forth over some heavenly mountain stream. In the past, I’ve always asked God to send Dad a lot of hungry trout, but tonight it will be different. Tonight I’m going to ask Him to send Eric over his way too. From now on, Dad won’t have to fish alone.
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He and Harriette are a perfect example of what a true relationship should be like. They not only worked well together but they inspired others with their dedication and enthusiasm. It is so unusual to find couples that are as dedicated and committed as they were to not only each other, but the community as a whole. We are all better people for having Eric as a part of our circle. |
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He is Gone You can shed tears that he is gone,
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
You can remember him and only that he is gone
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Rest in peace, Eric.
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About a year later, as a member of the Democratic Central Committee, Eric voted in favor of making me a member. He told me after the first meeting that he had been impressed with how I had made certain that everyone was heard in the platform meeting. I will always remember what he said, because it was a clear statement of what Eric himself valued—that everyone be heard. We all remember Eric as president of the Frederick Douglass Honor Society and the tremendous contributions the Society has made to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and beyond. The many events on the days surrounding the unveiling of the Douglass statue were educational and joyous, as well as the many years of Juneteenth celebrations. It was always fun to hear Eric and his fellow Buffalo Soldiers roar into town on their motorcycles. The last time I saw Eric was at the physical therapist’s office, where each of us had been sent in hopes of mending some of the frailties of age. After Eric and I had greeted each other, my physical therapist said, “I see you know Mr. Lowery. Everyone here loves him.” I thought to myself, “So do I.”
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May Eric continue to ride his beloved motorcycle wherever he is, free at last from pain and travail. And those of us left behind lift a toast to a life well-lived. I celebrate his amazing and selfless life!
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As with Douglass, Eric Lowery inspires us to expand human dignity in the world. His “demand”, his model for activism and his pursuit of social justice were all rendered through kindness, generosity and humor. He listens to you.
Eric’s work moves forward while we continue to enjoy his loving presence!
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Frederick Douglass Eric Lowery was a friend and a mentor who showed us that challenging, speaking up, and pursuing a goal can and should be done with compassion. I am better for having him in some part of my life and he will be truly missed but never forgotten.
__________________________________________ Eric Lowery was defiantly one of the nicest men I ever had the honor of knowing. His accomplishments not only benefited the town Easton , his work benefited everyone that ever came in contact with him. He was a true gentleman in every scene of the word. The first time Harriett introduced me to him I was so impressed with his warm and gentle nature but as I got to know him I saw the tiger inside of him released when faced with a project that would defeat most people. He was amazing , with Harriett always working right with him, there was no limit on what they would accomplish together. A true power team of two. Eric will be loved and missed by all but Harriett please remember we are all here for you during this horrible time of readjustment . In loving memory of Eric and ready to help you Harriett in any way that I can dear friend.
__________________________________________ Dear Eric, Thank you so much for your patient leadership, your quiet kindness, and your delightful rumbly voice that encouraged us along the path graced by Frederick Douglass’ footsteps. Serving as a volunteer for the Frederick Douglass Honor Society is one of the greatest blessings of my life. Thank you for including me. With respect, honor, love, and determination,
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