"I Have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness".

Bishop Joseph Preston Lowery was born June 12, 1941 in Chesterfield, South Carolina to the late Bessie W. Lowery and Joseph P. Lowery, Sr. Bishop Lowery departed this life Monday, April 27, 2015 at Forsyth Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

Bishop Lowery spent his early childhood in Wadesboro, North Carolina and moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1950. He attended the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools, graduating from Atkins High School in 1959. Following his graduation from Atkins High School, he spent two years at San Jose State College in San Jose, California. Bishop Lowery was a US Navy Veteran having served 4 years. After his tenure in the United States Navy, Bishop Lowery worked for R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, retiring after 30 years of service.

Bishop Lowery was a lover of all sports, as you could find him in any football stadium, basketball gym, and baseball stadium. He was faithful follower of Winston-Salem State University football and basketball. He loved going to the CIAA Tournament. Bishop Lowery was very active in the community. He served in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System as a mentor as well as in the Forsyth County Judicial System as a mediator.

Bishop Lowery was the founder and Pastor of Saint Matthew Apostolic Temple Church of Jesus Christ. Bishop Lowery served as the Vice Bishop of the Apostle Church of Christ in God; Bishop James C. Richardson, Jr., Presiding Bishop and General Overseer.
Bishop Lowery lived the life he preached and sang about. You can hear Bishop Lowery saying anytime, "Holding fast to the Faith", "Staying in the Safety Zone", "Too Blessed to be Depressed", and "And before I take it back, I will add more to it."

Bishop Lowery was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and Joseph Lowery; step-father, Robert C. Friend; sisters, Bertha L. Bynum and Pastor Shirley L. Johnson; grandson, Shawn Pressley; and his nephew, William C. Lowery.

Left with wonderful memories of Bishop Lowery is his loving wife of 38 years, First Lady Josephine J. Lowery of the home; two daughters, Ms. Jacqueline Lowery and Ms. Tonya Watson both of Winston-Salem, NC; two sons, Mr. DeCarlos Hawkins (Kim) and Mr. Tracey McCloud (Precious) both of Kernersville, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Silas (LaShanda), Micah, Courtland, Jamison, MacKenzie, Braxton, and Brook; two great-grandchildren, Ayana and Na'Siya; one brother-in-law, Deacon George R. Johnson, Sr. of Winston-Salem, NC; one aunt, Mary Myers of Chesterfield, SC; three special Godsons, Carlton Pressley, Kennard and Dominque Dickerson; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

National funeral services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, May 2, 2015 at St. Peter's Church & World Outreach Center, 3683 Old Lexington Road W-S, NC 27107, Bishop J.C. Hash, Sr., Pastor. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 6:00pm until 8:00pm Friday, May 1, 2015 at Saint Matthew Apostolic Temple Church, 3640 New Walkertown Road W-S, NC 27105.