302 S. Walnut Street Sherman, TX 75090 | Map It | 903.893.1171

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Evelyn P Low

02/07/1936 - 05/25/2023

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Obituary For Evelyn P Low

Evelyn Montez Pattillo Low, age 87, died at her daughter’s home in Vero Beach, Florida on Thursday, May 25, 2023. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 7,1936, to parents William Chalmers Pattillo and Cornelia Elizabeth Todd. She lived only a few months in Georgia before moving to Dallas, Texas as an infant, arriving one night on the train in her mother’s lap with the red neon lights of the Pegasus horse perched atop the Magnolia Building welcoming them from miles away.

She remained a life-long Texan and committed herself to family, friends, neighbors, public education, civic engagement, and farming (in retirement) with a proper certification from the Texas Farm Bureau. Evelyn also enjoyed the values and fellowship of the Trinity Presbyterian and Grace United Methodist communities of faith in Sherman over many years.

Evelyn graduated from the historically-registered North Dallas High School and then worked her way through college at Southern Methodist University, earning a bachelor’s of science degree in physical education in 1957, and returned later for a master of arts degree in physical education in 1962. She initially was a teacher in Albuquerque, N.M. but relocated back to Dallas, where she met a fellow teacher and her future husband, Myron James Low, whom she married in 1962.

After jointly moving to Austin and Houston for a few years, they built their lives together in Sherman from 1966. Myron served as a tenured professor at Austin College, and Evelyn obtained her school counselor certificate and was hired as a traveling counselor in Whitesboro, Sadler, and Southmayd. In 1973, she moved to the Sherman Independent School District, where she counseled mostly at the high school but also in the elementary and middle schools. As a final career chapter, Evelyn obtained her certificate as a principal educator and became a vice-principal at SHS. Her many years of service to the SISD were fondly remembered around town by thousands of her former students who recognized and praised her for being both a supportive mentor and the hall-patrolling sheriff.

Evelyn lived by old-school values: getting-up early, working hard, doing the right thing, keeping commitments to others, and then enjoying the rewards of that way of life. She and Myron would often travel abroad in the summer months - since they were both educators - and these trips ended-up being a tremendous gift of adventure, culture and education for their children and other friends who would join them. Evelyn’s life took an “out-of-office” turn after her retirement, when she and two dear friends from the SISD poured themselves into farming two different plots of land in Grayson County, replete with large vegetable gardens, limousine cattle, chickens, goats, and a sentinel donkey.

Evelyn also had a tremendous supportive family of friends and caregivers who took care of her for years in Texas and Florida due to a dementia diagnosis in her 70s. Evelyn was preceded in death by both of her parents, her son-in-law, Carmelo Pampallona, and her husband, Myron, with whom she enjoyed 26 years of love and friendship before his passing in 1988. She is survived by her two children, Melinda Pampallona and Kurt Low (William Cossolias), and her grandson, Rio Pampallona. Evelyn’s family welcomes friends to a visitation at Dannel Funeral Home on Friday, June 2, from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Sherman on Saturday, June 3, at 11am. Burial services will be held in Dallas at Sparkman/Hillcrest Cemetery on Saturday, June 3 at 3pm.

Please direct any gifts or donations in loving memory of Evelyn to the Grayson County chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates for children (casagrayson.org) or the Sherman Education Foundation (shermanisd.net/sef).

Evelyn was loved while she was with us and will be through time and eternity. She will be missed!

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Condolences

  • 06/02/2023

    Jaymie Lau

    I'm so sorry to hear of Mrs. Lows passing. She was my grade level principal at Sherman high school in the 90's. She was a good woman and was always fair. She is definitely part of the class of 94's memories.

  • 06/02/2023

    EMILY MARTIN

    This is Emily Martin. Evelyn was one of the most influential people in the lives of my two sisters, Helen and Ruth Ann, and me. We knew her from Minne Wonka Lodge in Three Lakes, Wisconsin, where she was the waterfront director and program director for several years. Everyone knew her as "Patil" in those days. (I think I spelled it "Paddle" in my head.) She was a wonderful camp counselor and a fascinating friend. Evelyn was on the faculty at SMU at the time and She mentored my sister Helen into going there. My sister Ruth Ann followed and so did I, several years later. Because of her, we three sisters from Aurora, IL ended up as Texans. We loved her and we loved Myron. My memories of Evelyn are so rich and full and happy. I'm glad I saw the obituary in the Dallas Morning News. God bless you all. emilytm@sbcglobal.net

  • 06/02/2023

    Margaret Grynwald

    I appreciated and admired Evelyn Low and enjoyed working with her for the schools. She was always a professional and a real person. You tell she cared - you could feel it. My condelences to her family.

  • 06/01/2023

    Belinda Beamon

    One of the greatest people I have ever met. A kind heart and it showed. Prayers and hugs to the family. Belinda Beamon and Joye Dotson Family

  • 06/01/2023

    John and Susan Bullard

    We went to church and Sunday school with Evelyn for a number of years. I remember that she was always pleasant and kind and I loved her quick wit. She was a jewel. Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to Evelyn's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. John and Susan Bullard

  • 05/31/2023

    Dana Perry Hyatt

    Evelyn was a dedicated and respected counselor and a good friend. I remember her fondly and will remember her as roll model for the counseling profession in our area. My deepest condolences to you, her family. Dana Perry Hyatt

  • 05/31/2023

    Jerry W. Chapman

    Melinda and Kurt, I was saddened to read of the death of your Mother in the Herald Democrat this morning. I always admired her for the way she conducted her life and maybe your early life too! Ha Ha Seriously Susie and I always appreciated both of your parents and the example they gave to the Sherman community. I know you will miss her but her legacy is one that has impacted thousands! I now live in Austin so I will be unable to attend her services. Jerry Chapman

  • 05/31/2023

    Linda and Larry Scott

    Larry worked with Evelyn at Sherman High School where they were counselors and later assistant principals together. They were "on duty" for countless dances, athletic events—anything where students were involved. She loved her job and made an impact on so many students as was evident when she was always greeted by former students wherever she went. They will never forget her and the difference she made in their lives and neither will we.

  • 05/30/2023

    jennifer west-evans

    mrs.Low was my vice principal at SHS class of 94, i remember the nite we graduated and she was staying on the stage, she would ask us if we wanted a hug or hand shake, she was the sweet lafy, and will be very missed.

  • 05/30/2023

    Robin Willis

    Evelyn was one of a kind and very special to me. I didn't know her until her later years and even then as she progressed into late stages of dementia her spirit still provided me with wise words and advise at just the right times. I consider it a gift from above to have known Evelyn Low and her children.

  • 05/30/2023

    Deborah Williams

    I worked many years at SHS with Evelyn and will remember her as compassionate and kind. My prayers for her family.

  • 05/27/2023

    Rita Gay

    My dearest friend from Sherman who I have loved and cherished during our life time together

  • 05/27/2023

    Margie Morris

    Evelyn and my mom, Mayme Porter, were great friends. Evelyn was a kindred spirit -- an inspiration -- as she did the work of making things better for so many on so many levels. Although she was an amazing intellectual, she never let that get in the way of being real, down to earth, and rolling up her sleeves. I will always remember her with great fondness and so appreciate the bond she shared with my mom and their connection to AC.

  • 05/27/2023

    Sandra Froese

    Evelyn Low was one of my dearest friends and a Sherman ISD colleague. She had a sharp intellect, a delightful wit, a compassion for youth, and could tell many funny stories! She will be missed! Rest in Peace, Evelyn.

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