Barbara Jean (Banks) Lowe

Life Reflections

Barbara Jean (Banks) Lowe was born on March 11, 1936 to Rufus Franklin and Rosie Lee Banks in Kansas City, Kansas.  She attended public schools in Kansas City, Kansas.  At an early age, Jean professed her faith in Christ and was baptized.

On August 23, 1952, Barbara Jean and Ezra Lowe, Jr. were united in holy matrimony.  Through this union, they were blessed with seven beautiful children.  “Momma was very family oriented and enjoyed spending time with her family.  She was a great caring mother to her children and dearly loved our daddy.”

In 1959, Jean joined Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Isaac G. Gaines and continued serving under the leadership of Pastor Elijah Clark, Jr. as Church Secretary until 2000.

Barbara Jean loved helping other people and worked as a private duty nurse for many years.  Jean was employed as Secretary of Opportunities Industrialization Center of America (OIC) located in Kansas City, Kansas and was crowed “Queen” of the (OIC) because of her dedicated service. 

During her employment service at (OIC), Jean participated in Civil Rights March (Washington D.C.) walking alongside with the late “Mrs. Coretta Scott-King” and also met “Muhammad Ali” through the organization, Jean was definitely a “people’s person” and loved to fill the room with laughter.  In her later years, she enjoyed encouraging her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be the best they could be.

Early Saturday morning, September 9, 2017, Sister Barbara Jean departed this life at Riverbend Assisted Living Facility in Kansas City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Rosetta Barnes, Jaunita Taylor, Beoma Harmon, Everlena Taylor; one brother, Rufus Banks, Jr.; daughter, Thianthia Whytus; son, Dwayne Lowe; granddaughter, Katisha Jenkins; and grandson, Emanuel Whytus.

Here precious life will forever be cherished in the hearts of her loved ones:

Her husband, Ezra Lowe, Jr. of Kansas City, Kansas.

Children: Vonja (Clydell) Richardson of Leavenworth, Kansas.

                Tamara (Ray) Larkins of Kansas City, Kansas.

                William (Frances) Lowe of Olathe, Kansas.

                Willnetta Miller of Overland Park, Kansas.

                David (Catrina) Lowe of Olathe, Kansas.

Daughter-in-law: Madeline Lowe of San Francisco, California.

Son-in-law:          Cloy Miller, Sr. of Overland Park, Kansas.

Brothers:              James Banks, Robert (Mary) Banks, Curtis (Darlene)Banks

Sister:                   Mildred (Joe) Webster all of Kansas City, Kansas.

Honorary Sister: Janet Thomas of Kansas City, Kanas.

Forty grandchildren, Seventy-five great-grandchildren, twenty-one great-great-grandchildren, a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

 Service Information