Jean Lowder Troutman

Jean Lowder Troutman, age 89, was called to her heavenly home on Saturday, April 16, 2022. She was born on May 25, 1932, in Cabarrus County, to the late Grover Cleveland Lowder and Mary Misenheimer Lowder. She graduated valedictorian from Mount Pleasant High School in 1950, where she was named “Best All Around” and was a member of the Beta Club.

Jean met a handsome young man and the love of her life, Paul Troutman, in July, 1947, when she and her mother went to pick peaches at The Troutman Farm. Their lives changed forever that day, and they were married on August 12, 1950, at New Bethel Lutheran Church, Stanly County. They made their home in Gold Hill and raised four children, and spent 69 wonderful years together until losing him in 2020. She was employed by Earnhardt Toyota and Rowe Toyota for 25 years as bookkeeper, before retiring in 1990.

Jean was a member of Gold Hill Wesleyan Church since 1950 and active in many capacities. She took great satisfaction in teaching the Junior High Class in Sunday School. She was a Vacation Bible School teacher, served as Treasurer of the Board, and was the pianist for many years. But most inspirational of all were Jean and Paul's Sunday morning worship service duets that everyone looked forward to hearing.

Jean was known for her laughter and upbeat attitude. She never met a stranger and had a smile for everyone she met. She was kind, generous, and always willing to help anyone in need. During the later years of her life, Jean loved communicating frequently with her family and circle of church friends and staying in touch via phone.

She was constantly inquisitive about the world around her and loved acquiring knowledge. She required total silence from others when watching the World News. She was the Queen Bee and quintessential southern lady who prioritized her weekly hair appointments. She had a unique skill of remembering every detail about a person, place, and date, and no one could compete with her memory skills, which remained impressive until the end of her life. She was known as “Dead Eye Jean” after shooting a snake from a gourd to save Paul’s martins.

Jean was the ultimate matriarch and cared and supported the needs of her family whenever called upon. She was a devoted wife and mother and her greatest pleasure came from spending time with her family. She was a cheerleader for Paul’s many years of softball play. Her grandchildren added a very special chapter to her life, and she cherished every moment with them. She left a legacy to her family of God’s amazing love and grace, and was an example to all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Paul Troutman; beloved grandson, Taylor Andrew Troutman; and granddaughter, Lori Terrell. Jean is survived by her sister, Justina L. Allman of Mt. Pleasant, NC; her brother Carson Poe Lowder of Paramus, New Jersey; son Robert Andrew Troutman of Silverthorne, Colorado; daughters Elaine T. Duffell, Denise T. Blackwelder and husband, Fred; Arlene T. Conger and husband, Lyn, of Charlotte; grandchildren Amanda Blackwelder Parris and husband, Justin; Jacob Lyn Conger of San Francisco, California; Joshua Bond Conger and wife, Anna, of Rock Hill, SC; and Michael Lee David and fiancee Lindsey of Huntington Beach, California.

Arrangements: A visitation and funeral service will be held at Gold Hill Wesleyan Church Family Life Center, 830 Liberty Road, Gold Hill, NC, on Friday, April 22, 2022. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 pm, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm, with the Reverend Mark Loman officiating. A graveside service will immediately follow.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Gold Hill Wesleyan Church Building Fund, PO Box 286, Gold Hill, NC.

Arrangements are being handled by Powles Staton Funeral Home, Rockwell, NC.