Toby Anne Low
Maya Angelou wrote, “When people show you who they are, believe them.” Toby Anne Low, age 78, of Latexo passed away February 20, 2018 at her residence after a courageous battle for her life. Toby was born June 12, 1939 in Pasadena to parents, Pete and Hattie Marie Cote Dietz. Her true colors shined through. Toby was an amazing woman who lived with intention. She demonstrated strength and courage throughout her life. Her character is described by others as compassionate, forgiving, loving, supportive, encouraging, protective, determined, modest, and numerous other traits that would make her family proud to call her their own. She worked hard for things she believed in including her family, friends and community efforts.
In Pasadena, she attended a private Catholic school but she loved Latexo and the friends she would make after moving here with her family. Her friends tell of their days skating and working as soda jerks at the local pharmacy. They spoke of her modesty and what embarrassed and delighted her as a young woman. Toby fell in love with Bill Low and after graduation, they married and raised five children in this small community. They were married for sixty years. This love of family, school and community was evident in how other referred to her as “Granny” or “Aunt Toby”. She loved the Lord and was an active and supportive member of Latexo Baptist Church. During her hospital stay, several church members came to visit and we witnessed the power of prayer and God’s mercy. Many sent cards and called with messages of love and encouragement. As Stuart Chase wrote, “For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who doubt, none is sufficient.”
Her determination to keep the Latexo school thriving over all these years, including raising bond funds, earned her an invitation from Sam Houston State University to speak to Public Administration students about the tireless efforts of her devoted group of friends and allies. Active in the Latexo Alumni Association, she received numerous awards and accolades over the years. One of her favorite events was coordinating volleyball tournaments for the alumni and people today still comment that she played a mean game but was always a good sport and had a beautiful serve. Her happiness of having her great-grandchildren be the fourth generation of Lows to attend this exemplary institution was something beyond measure.
Working for Chris von Doenhoff at Aldrich Abstract for over thirty years, she knew Houston County and the people who reside here like the back of her hand. She trained a lot of people over those years and considered herself lucky to call them friends, following her retirement. She worked until recently being asked to join one of the oil and gas teams because they valued her knowledge, skills and energy. Wisdom is more priceless than pearls.
Family stories include one in which, while pregnant with her third child, she drove the tractor to check on her sister-in-law, Mary, who just gave birth to her son. She loaded up the two daughters and went about her way. During a birthday party for one of her children, the children attending decided to bury her youngest son up to his neck for grins. She spanked every child at the event and some twice. Her nephew claimed she could whip the entire community in one day. Her sister tells stories of her beating up neighborhood boys in her youth. Reminded many of us of Scout in the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. We would brag in the 60’s that our mom knew how to play the accordion and nobody knew what it was except those that had TV and watched Lawrence Welk. Those long Dietz’ fingers were an asset in strumming those keys and pushing those buttons. Precious memories.
Toby was loved and cherished by all who truly knew her. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her world and she was theirs. She is survived by husband of 60 years, Bill Low of Latexo; children, Pam Lee and husband, Allen of Latexo, Memory Emmons and husband, Craig of Grapeland, Darrell Low and wife, Teresa of Latexo, Rex Low of Latexo, Katie Currie of Latexo; grandchildren, Brooke and Josh Johnson of Latexo, Jeremy and Jennifer Lee of Conroe, Chelsea and Chase Freeman of Latexo, Derek Low and Lisa Anthony of Chireno, Katrin Low of Latexo, Kenny Leediker of Hooks, Radley Low of Latexo, Justin Currie and Candice Pitman of Latexo, Meagan Currie of Grapeland; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Madison, Kaydence, Baby boy to be, Ashton, Kyra, Carter, Gavin, Cason, Colton, Katelynn, Hunter, Gauge, Sy, Zayden, Coe, Avery, Lane, Bryce, Brilee, Brentley; sister, Dorothy Patton Harris of Crockett; niece, Terri Graham of Crockett; cousin, Albert “Skipper” Alghren of Tomball. She was preceded in death by parents, Harold Eugene “Pete” Dietz and Hattie Marie Cote Dietz; sister, Gladys “Bunky” Thomas; nephew, Shane Thomas, and son-in-law, Meridth Currie.
Funeral services for Toby Anne Low were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2018 in the Callaway-Allee Memorial Chapel with Rev. Randy Redkey officiating. Interment followed in the Latexo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Texas Children’s Hospital, 6621 Fannin St., Houston, Tx 77030.