Diana Flowers Lowe Ely (1936-2024)

Diana Flowers Lowe Ely, born on December 8, 1936, was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by her passion for learning, teaching, and championing the underdog. Throughout her 87 years, she remained a devout Catholic, a single mother, an educator, a counselor, and an ardent lover of the arts.

Early Life and Education

Born in Shreveport, Diana never met her biological father, Daniel King "Bub" Cohen, who died before her birth. Raised by her mother, Annie Mabel Flowers Cohen Lowe, and later her stepfather, Diana grew up with her younger siblings Warren and Noel. The family moved frequently, eventually settling in Houston where Diana attended Lamar High School for two years before returning to Shreveport to graduate from Byrd High School.

Diana's passion for education led her to study English Literature at the University of Texas in Austin. Inspired by guest lectures from Robert Frost, she decided to become a teacher of poetry and literature. After graduation, her adventurous spirit took her to Venezuela to teach, where, during Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, she met Gene Ely. They married in Shreveport at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church and had three children: Wes (1963), Scott (1964), and Erin (1967).

Resilience and Career

When her husband abandoned the family in 1967, Diana's resilience shone through. As a single mother without alimony or child support, she bought a house on Mockingbird Lane and began her career as a high school English teacher. She went on to earn two master's degrees in counseling and special education.

Over the next 45 years, Diana taught countless students in Shreveport's public and private high schools, sharing her love for poetry, Shakespeare, and the critical analysis of world literature. Her first teaching position in Shreveport was at Bethune High School, a new school for Black students, where she worked to empower the Black community and promote desegregation.

Theatrical Pursuits and Teaching Philosophy

Diana's passion for theater led her to act in many plays at The Little Theatre, but her main contribution to the arts was as a high school English literature teacher and theater director. Her most fulfilling years were spent at Jesuit High School (now Loyola College Prep), where she taught senior English literature and directed plays. Her annual Shakespearean productions were exceptional.  They were regularly reviewed in the Shreveport Times and Shreveport Journal and became a staple in the liberal arts curricula of Northwestern Louisiana colleges, where students were required to attend her plays.

Known for her no-nonsense approach and dedication to proper enunciation, Diana left a lasting impact on her students. One of her student-actors still recounts a rehearsal where, cast as Laertes in Hamlet and struggling with his lines, a shoe whizzed past his head. Shocked, he looked up to see Diana sitting on the front row belting in a deliberate drawl, "You cay-unt 'DO SHAKESPEARE' if'n you TAWK lie-uk THEE-US…for Heaven's sake, Enunciate!"  Many of her students went on to become college deans, novelists, and leaders in various fields, crediting her with their success and polished speech.

Advocacy and Later Career

After leaving Jesuit, Diana became the first Director of the Johnny Gray Jones youth shelter for runaway children and those dealing with low-level crimes and addiction. This role, despite a significant pay cut, aligned with her commitment to helping those in need.

In her later years, she taught and counseled students with learning disabilities and sponsored a group of cheerleaders, imparting valuable life lessons through her unique disciplinary approach (some of them still save her comments on their demerit slips). Her final job involved developing a reading and writing curriculum for adults seeking GEDs, continuing her lifelong mission of empowering others through education.

Personal Life and Interests

Diana never remarried, dedicating her life to her children and students. She became a Life Master bridge player and once played against Bill Gates in Las Vegas. In retirement, she was a fixture at the local Barnes and Noble, where former students sought her out for book discussions and Scrabble matches.

Despite living most of her life within a 10-mile radius, Diana's influence extended far beyond Shreveport. She took trips to Europe and maintained connections with students across the country, many of whom continued to seek her guidance and wisdom.

Final Years

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Diana contracted the virus twice despite being fully vaccinated. The second infection led to a decline in her cognition and symptoms of Long COVID, and likely precipitated a stroke. While her dementia was challenging, it also brought her a sense of peace previously unwitnessed by her children.

Legacy

Diana Flowers Lowe Ely is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, three children, two daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, and a grandson-in-law. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister.

Her life was a testament to resilience, education, and unwavering faith. As she once told a priest, correcting him on a term she objected to in his sermon, "Excuse me, Father Clayton, but my family is not broken." Diana's courage to effect change and her passion for truth continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.

October 12th Funeral Mass and Memorial

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 204 Patton Ave, Shreveport, LA on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:30AM with a reception to follow at St. Joseph's Family Life Center from 11:30-1PM. All are welcome to celebrate the life of this extraordinary educator, mother, and friend. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Shreveport Little Theatre to promote the arts, (318) 424-4439, https://www.shreveportlittletheatre.com/.