Ira Pate Lowry

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Birth: Mar. 5, 1906 Raynham Robeson County North Carolina, USA

Death: Aug. 23, 1992 Lumberton Robeson County North Carolina, USA

Ira Pate was the eldest child of Abner Lowry and his second wife, Rosie Bell.

He married Reba Milsaps. Their marriage produced one daughter.

After receiving degrees from Dakota Wesleyan University and The Ohio State University and studing voice and piano at the Julliard School of Music, Ira Pate organized the music department at what is now UNC-Pembroke in 1935. Professor Lowry also served as the university's band director.

In 1941, he wrote the music to the university's Alma Mater and his wife wrote the lyrics. "Hail to UNCP" has only slightly changed over the years to reflect the name changes of the university. The Ira Pate and Reba Lowry's Bell Tower was dedicated on May 10, 1981.

• **NOTE: source "Lowrys were passionate about music" by Scott Bigelow http://o.mfcreative.com/f2/exports/6/697cb564-562a-4c70-89f5-795d8e...

Family links:

Parents:

• Abner B. Lowry (1862 - 1944)
• Rosie Bell Lowry (1882 - 1952)

Spouse:

• Reba Milsaps Lowry (1905 - 1980)

Children:

 Arlita Lowry Breen (1945 - 2000)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription:

Ira Pate & Reba had one child, Arlita Linda, who married John Leslie Entrekin, Jr. They had Leslynne Lee & Jonathan Pate. Ira Pate & Reba were intimately involved with the University, the Methodist church, & the community of Pembroke

Burial: Lumbee Memorial Gardens Lumberton Robeson County North Carolina, USA

Created by: melanie Record added: Jul 06, 2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 72955383