Kathryn "Elaine" (Lowrey) Pate

Kathryn Elaine Lowrey Pate passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021. 

She was born on February 19, 1940 to Clinton Hill Lowrey and Kathryn Louise Greer Lowrey, who preceded her in death.  She was an only child and grew up on a farm in Houstonia, MO where she attended the Houstonia United Methodist Church and was an accomplished pianist there.  She graduated from Houstonia High School in 1958 where she was valedictorian of her class of 7 students.  She was an athlete, playing all sports that were available for girls in the late 1950’s and was homecoming queen her first year of high school.  She loved softball the most and was a great catcher due to her ability to “chatter” at the batter and because she could throw a rocket to second base, often allowing for a double play.  Following high school Elaine, often called “Lanie”, attended Warrensburg College (now Central Missouri State University) where she graduated with a degree in Education, Home Economics.  There she met and later married the love of her life, Mike Wayne Pate.  Together they lived in Clinton, MO, Turner, KS, Forest City, AR and Columbia, MO.  They had one daughter, Angelia Kathryn Pate Pippin and two granddaughters, Ellery Kathryn Pippin Armes (David) and Arlen Jewell Pippin.

Elaine taught Home Economics throughout a long and distinguished career, touching the lives and hearts of thousands of students.  Not only was she an educator but also a dedicated learner, earning her Master’s Degree and several additional credit hours from the The University of Missouri, Columbia.  She coached tennis at Rock Bridge High School (Go Bruins!) and was herself an accomplished tennis player.  She attended Missouri United Methodist Church.  She was an entrepreneur with aerobics and antiques businesses.  She loved to travel and pursue her interests in flower gardening, landscaping, decorating, sewing and gourmet cooking.  She appreciated the arts, both visual and musical.  She especially loved bluegrass music and dancing to any live music performance.  Elaine loved the out of doors, especially being at the farm and around any body of water.  She loved to boat, water ski, and visit beaches especially of the East Coast. 

But this hardly describes the real Lanie.  While these are the details and the facts of her life, what it does not show is how deeply Lanie loved.  Lanie loved her entire family.  She frequently planned trips and events for all family members to share together, both near and far.  She loved her history of being a farm girl from central Missouri, going to 4H, school and church functions.  She loved the people of Pettis and the surrounding counties and always identified with them and that lifestyle.  Lanie loved teaching.  She felt a sense of pride for her schools and for the progress of her students.  Later in her career, she grew to appreciate the uniqueness of each student and how their personal struggles impacted them.  She was quoted as saying, “Sometimes all I can do is just love them.”  Lanie loved doing things.  She loved to experience life and find new places to go and new things to do.  She was never without a new idea of something to try for the first time.  Lanie loved progress.  She constantly planted and grew things, added to and changed her surroundings, redecorated and appreciated the beauty around her.  Lanie loved America.  She was so proud of our country, she loved patriotic music and events, and was very particular that respect be given to the United States, its citizens and its military at all times.  Lanie loved her friends, all friends from all aspects of her life, neighbors old and new, work friends, church friends, family friends, farm friends, and even happy hour friends.  Lanie loved to socialize with us all.  And Lanie loved our God.  She recognized from whom all blessings flow.  She was grateful for all the blessings that she loved, and she acknowledged that the love of God through Jesus Christ is the only way these blessings are possible.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Mike, her daughter, Angelia and her grandchildren, Ellery, David and Arlen.

A Service of Remembrance will be held 5:00 p.m., Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Missouri United Methodist Church, 204 S. 9th Street, Columbia. 

 The family requests using the parking garage at the corner of Hitt St. and Elm St. for those who are more able, and please consider the recommendations of the CDC for safe congregating in consideration of those who cannot be vaccinated or who are compromised.

Please consider remembering Elaine through donations to Compassus Hospice or any charity of your choice.

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