Dean of the civil rights movement, Dr. Joe Lowery, dead at 98

Only a few hours after Barack Obama was declared the first Black president of the United States, Nov. 8, 2008, a reporter – on the phone with the Rev. Joseph Lowery, dean of the civil rights movement – asked him how he thought Black leaders and the Black press should hold President Obama accountable.

Known for his deep wisdom and quick wit whether preaching or conversing, Lowery – long time president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference – was clear and concise in his answer. He said, “We must speak truth to power no matter what color power is.”

His lifetime of that wise counsel, fiery sermons and dynamic civil rights leadership came to an end on March 27, when Lowery died. He left his civil rights contemporaries, his family, loved ones, students and many protégés, students and followers around the world to celebrate and carry on his legacy. He was 98 years old.

 A private family burial for Lowery was held in Atlanta last Saturday. As a result of the revised guidance provided by Fulton County public health officials and the implementation of a statewide shelter-in-place order for Georgia, the private service was held for 10 family members only. 

“After much thought and consideration of options that would be compliant with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on COVID-19 prevention and social distancing, we are unable to hold a service that can accommodate our dear community of support,” said Cheryl Lowery, President and CEO, of the Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute, and youngest daughter of the civil rights icons.  

A private burial for Rev. Joseph Lowery was held in Atlanta last Saturday.
Photo special to the Outlook

“Our father always encouraged everyone to act in service for the common good,” Lowery continued. “In these unprecedented times, the best way for each of us to do that, is to follow guidance from our public health and state officials to prevent community spread of coronavirus.”  

A public memorial will be held on Oct. 6, which would have been Lowery’s 99th birthday, with the hope and prayer that this pandemic will be behind us. This celebration is intended to ensure friends and supporters from near and far can honor Dr. Lowery and his legacy.

“The Reverend Joseph Lowery was born and raised in Jim Crow Alabama with no power or privilege to speak of. But he had preaching in his blood. He had a conviction that he could join and inspire others to push for change. And he huddled with Dr. Martin Luther King and a few others in Montgomery to write the playbook and lay the groundwork for the movement that was to come,” wrote President Obama in a release responding to Lowery’s death.

The statement continued: “From those early days of the movement to his long leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he did so much to carry us ever closer to the just, fair, inclusive, and generous America promised in our founding ideals. With boundless generosity, patience, and moral courage, he mentored and encouraged a whole new generation of activists and leaders.”

None would know more about his leadership and example than his three daughters, Yvonne, Karen, and Cheryl, and his 12 grandchildren who have received prayers and condolences from Americans and people of other nations.

“Our entire family is humbled and blessed by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support that has come from around the globe. We thank you for loving our father, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, and for your continuous prayers during this time,” the family said in a statement. “Dr. Lowery’s life was driven by a sense of obligation to our global community and desire to champion love over hate; inclusion over exclusion.”

Meanwhile, the family has asked that donations be made to The Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights. Donations can be sent to The Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute, P.O. Box 92801, Atlanta, Ga. 30314. After nearly 70 years of marriage, his beloved Evelyn Lowery died on Sept. 26, 2013.

Dr. Lowery’s tireless life and works were recalled by multiple civil rights colleagues who issued statements.

“He was an exceptional visionary with tremendous follow through and he was very successful in taking the SCLC to the next level in terms of entrepreneurship, building the worldwide recognition of the organization and educating society about Dr. King’s philosophy and contributions. He was a highly effective leader,” said Dr. Charles Steele, current president and CEO of the SCLC. “He had the gift of understanding people and working with individuals from all sectors of society. He was recognized as a great orator for delivering some powerful speeches, but he was just as gifted at motivating people from different cultures, religions and agendas to convene at the table to work together for the common good. With the problems we are addressing today around the world, he would continue to be that catalyst to bring folks together. He was that glue that kept us at the table until we found the solutions.” 

National Urban League President/CEO Marc Morial described Lowery as a “bridge between the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century and the current era, working side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and speaking at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The loss of a voice of his stature during a time of intense crisis in the nation is especially wrenching.”