William Jeffrey "Jeff" Lowe

Chief Magistrate Judge William Jeffrey "Jeff" Lowe, age 54, of Dahlonega, Georgia, died Sunday, August 19, 2012 at the Chestatee Regional Hospital in Dahlonega, Georgia following a period of declining health.

Born April 12, 1958 in Dahlonega, Georgia, he was the son the late William W. Lowe and Lottie Chambers Lowe. He was also preceded in death by a Sister, Sonya Geneva Lowe.

A native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County, Judge Lowe was a graduate of Lumpkin County High School, graduate of North Georgia Police Academy in Athens, Georgia and also a graduate of Leadership Lumpkin County. Prior to being elected in 1997 as Chief Magistrate Judge, Judge Lowe has spent 28 years in law enforcement, 24 of them in Lumpkin County. He was always looking for ways to keep Magistrate County up-to-date with innovative program such as the Electronic Warrant Interchange, using the WMCIS criminal program connected to Atlanta via internet at no cost to the taxpayers and he also allowed mediation for civil cases, therefore reducing the need for unnecessary hearings for the Judges.

Judge Lowe began internships for North Georgia College students to expand their day-to-day knowledge of "hands on" court experience. He also introduced legislation for Probate and Magistrate Judges to be "non-partisan" in elections. Judge Lowe always enjoyed the yearly visits from the elementary schools into the courtroom to invite them to learn that the court is their friend and let them experience the "banging" of the Judge's gavel. He also began "Shop with the Judges" program which provided underprivileged youngsters with a way to buy Christmas presents for their families and themselves.

Judge Lowe was Past President of the Georgia Jailers Association and served two terms as the 9th District Representative of the Magistrate Council of Georgia. His involvement in the local community included being Past President of the Jaycees, member of the Blue Mountain Masonic Lodge # 38, member of the Order of the Eastern Star # 333, member of the Dahlonega Lion Club, member of Habitat for Humanity, member of the Domestic Violence Task Force, member of the Child Fatality Review Board, member of the Child Abuse Protocol, Woodmen of the World and was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church.

Survivors include, HIS WIFE, Debbie Lowe, of Dahlonega, Ga.; CHILDREN & SPOUSES, Amy and Cliff Hooker of Dahlonega, Ga.; Bob and Kerry Nolan, of Gainesville, Ga.; GRANDCHILDREN, Ansley Nolan, Payton Hooker and Mackenzie Hooker; MOTHER-IN-LAW, Maybelle Barrett of Dahlonega, Ga.; Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Other Relatives also survive.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at the Dahlonega Baptist Church with the remains placed in state at the church at 1:30 p.m., the Rev. Luke Parsons, former Sheriff Jimmy Berry, Sheriff Stacey Jarrard and Rev. Lyman Caldwell will officiate. The interment will follow in the Bethel Tabernacle Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites by the Blue Mountain Masonic Lodge # 38 F & A.M. of Dahlonega.

The family will receive friends at the Dahlonega Funeral Home after 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Judge Lowe's remains will be placed in state in the lobby of the Lumpkin County Courthouse on Tuesday, 12:00 Noon until 4:00 p.m. with visitation beginning after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Dahlonega Funeral Home.