Wife Recovering After Losing Husband In Tornado On Anniversary Of First Date
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GARLAND (CBS 11 NEWS) - On the day after Christmas, an inseparable Garland couple was torn apart by Mother Nature.
77-year-old Cecil Lowrie was killed as an EF-4 tornado swept over Garland. He and his wife of 52 years were celebrating the anniversary of their first date. A blind date had brought them together 55 years ago to the day.
"They did everything together--grocery shopping--dad probably got in the kitchen a little too much than mom wanted him to," remembered the couple's son, Scott Lowrie.
This past Saturday, the couple, still very much in love, marked the special anniversary over dinner. On their way home to Garland, while traveling on I-30 and the George Bush Turnpike, the tornado touched down.
"The tornado literally picked up the car and spun it, and threw it to the ground," Scott Lowrie explains.
The couple became trapped inside. Scott, rushed to the scene where mangled vehicles and debris dotted the highway.
On the 55th anniversary of the very first time they met, Evelyn would say goodbye to her best friend.
"A few months ago, she remembers expressly praying to God that when it was one or the other's time [to go], that they would go together. It's not the way the Lord had it planned," Scott explained with tears in his eyes.
His mother survived. She remains at The Medical Center of Plano after enduring multiple surgeries on her ankle, leg and hip. Scott says his parents were longtime members of Dallas First Assembly of God Church. The family is leaning on their faith during this loss.
"Treasure life because life is short and spend time with those you love,and let them know you love them," says Scott. It is advice from a son who believes his parents truly embodied that message.
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