Almarene Cason Lowndes

Almarene Cason Lowndes, 91, of St. Augustine, passed away peacefully on April 3rd. She was born February 6, 1931, to the late Mattie and George Cason, in Olustee, Florida, the seventh of eleven children with a smile that sparkled like the sun. She attended local schools in Columbia and Baker county, graduating at 15 from Richardson High school in 1946. She continued her education at Bethune Cookman College, where she received a 4-year basketball scholarship, played tennis, and ran track. She was a sports enthusiast and a big fan of Duke Basketball. On October 6, 1954, she married the late Shedrick C. Lowndes, Sr., and five children were born into their union. Mrs. Lowndes taught in Columbia County for eight years and 34 years in St. Johns County, retiring from Crookshank Elementary School in 1996. An exemplary professional and life-long learner, Mrs. Lowndes's dedication to education left an indelible mark on the lives of countless others. In her thirty-four years of leadership and service, Almarene advocated for teachers as President, Building Representative, and Bargaining Team Spokesperson for the St. Johns Education Association—where an annual scholarship is awarded in her honor. In addition, she served on the Florida Education Association Human & Civil Rights Committee at the state level. Mrs. Lowndes was a proud member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Incorporated, Gamma Eta Chapter—where she served as Basileus and Southeastern Regional Director in "Pursuit of Excellence - A Challenge to Fulfill." Additionally, served as chairperson of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration committee for St. Johns County and was a member of the NAACP and American Legion Post 194 Auxiliary. Almarene's proudest accolade was being a disciple of Greater St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as the chairperson of the Trustee Board and sang in the choir. She leaves a loving and devoted family to cherish her memories and continue her legacy — children Shedrick Lowndes Jr. (Jacksonville, FL), Cheryl Lowndes (St. Augustine, FL], Sonee Carswell (St. Augustine, FL), Govantez Lowndes (Atlanta, GA), and Jarvis Lowndes (Chandler, AZ), granddaughters Almarene T. Lowndes (Jacksonville, FL) and Lauren Frazier (New York, NY); brothers, Videll Cason and Ellerson Cason; and a host of relatives and caring friends. A family service will be held at noon at Olustee Cemetery on April 12, 2022. A community memorial will be held at a later date to honor her lifelong dedication to education and service. The family requests that donations to honor the life and work of Almarene Lowndes be given to the National Education Sorority, Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Perpetual Scholarship Foundation. The Foundation provides scholarships for high schools boys and girls, female college students aspiring to become teachers, and sorority members pursuing doctoral degrees. To donate online, use the following link: https://www.nspdk.org/perpetual-scholarship. Checks can be written to NSPDK Perpetual Scholarship Foundation and mailed to: Shelia Evans, 2150 Mount Royal Terrance Baltimore, MD 21217. Please note your donation is in honor of Almarene Lowndes. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Almarene Cason Lowndes

February 6, 1931 - April 3, 2022