Esther Judith Charlotte Carlson Lowe

Esther Judith Charlotte Carlson Lowe, age 93, died July 8, 2008 at Shannondale Healthcare Center, Maryville. Born August 21, 1914 in Providence, RI, she grew up in Rhode Island and in Sweden. She graduated from the Homeopathic Hospital of Rhode Island as a registered Nurse and worked in public health in Providence and New Haven, CT, until she became a stewardess with American Airlines in 1938. She was the first stewardess from the state of Rhode Island. In 1940 she married Ernest B. Lowe, a Maryville college graduate, and they settled in Maryville. In 1972 she obtained a BS degree with high honors from the University of Tennessee. A member of New Providence Presbyterian Church, for many years she was an active Red Cross volunteer teaching community Home Health Care and Safety and Mother and Baby Care classes. A very beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, she was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Emil Carlson and Alma Charlotta Froseth Carlson and is survived by her husband of 68 years, Ernest B. Lowe; daughter and son-in-law, Marty and David Black of Maryville; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Ernest B. Lowe, Jr. and wife, Patricia, of Oxford, Mississippi; grandchildren, Charlotte Carlson Black Grzebien and husband, John, of Alexandria, Virginia, Elizabeth Pritchett Lowe of Greenwich, Connecticut, Charlotte Lowe Narvaez and husband, Victor Hugo, of Round Rock, Texas, Mason Ernest Lowe and wife, Meredith, of Jackson, Mississippi, and Elizabeth Cannon Black of Brooklyn, New York; great-grandchildren, John Carlson Grzebien, Sarah Narvaez, and Laura Narvaez; sister, Martha Carlson Merriam; nieces and nephews, George Merriam, John Merriam, Charlotte Merriam Cole, Susan Merriam, and Phillip Lowe; numerous cousins in Sweden; and close friend, Leanne West. Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Esther Carlson Lowe Nursing Scholarship c/o Pellissippi State Foundation at 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37932. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Esther Judith Charlotte Carlson Lowe please visit our Sympathy Store.