Laura "Lou" Towner

Mrs. Laura Louise "Lou" Towner, age 99, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away peacefully on Friday, June 27, 2025, at The Timbers in Holts Summit, Mo.
Lou was born on February 20, 1926, in Hannibal, Mo. at her Grandmother Summers house, a daughter of William Jennings Bryan and Nell Mae (Summers) Parsons. She grew up on the family farm in Bowling Green, Mo. and was baptized at a young age at Second Baptist Church.
She graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1943. During high school she became passionate about art and music, competing in music competitions and singing with her sister. She went on to graduate from Hannibal-LaGrange College in 1945.
During college, Lou met the love of her life, Vernon Raymond Towner, while singing in a mixed quartet. They were married on July 28, 1946, in Bowling Green, and were blessed with 75 years of marriage until Vernon's passing on July 1, 2021. They shared an exceptionally close bond, enjoying music and hobbies together, working side by side in the family business, and simply loving each other's company throughout their long, happy marriage.
After college, Lou worked briefly as a secretary for Senator Edward Long before spending three years as an accountant with Farm Bureau. While raising her three children, she dedicated herself to being a homemaker and also supported Vernon in running their family business, Towner Communications. She managed the bookkeeping for the company until her retirement in 1994, when the business was transitioned to the second generation of the family.
Lou was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, where she shared her deep faith through decades of service. She taught Sunday school to three-year-olds for over 50 years, which she considered a treasured experience in her life. Lou also had a lifelong passion for music, which she shared with Vernon. Together they sang in the church choir, performed duets in worship services, and participated in the Friendship Choir, bringing music to their congregation and to nursing homes throughout the community. Both Lou and Vernon were actively involved in Gideons International, supporting its mission of sharing the Gospel. She also volunteered with the Jefferson City Host Lions Club, participated in the Morning Music Club, and served as a docent at the Governor's Mansion during the Warren Hearnes Administration.
Her favorite times were always those spent with family. Lou cherished time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always supporting them in their activities and programs. She loved traveling with family, creating lasting memories on trips to Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, Switzerland, England, and many other places around the world. An avid reader, she also enjoyed a bit of retail therapy, building cherished collections of Boyd's Bears, dolls, and other keepsakes.
Lou is survived by: three children, Linda Petty (Jim) of Jefferson City, Mo., Mark Towner (Susan) of Jefferson City, Mo. and Jill Howell (John) of Lenexa, Ks.; sister, Helen Branch of Jefferson City, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Lisa Petty Attaway (Craig), Tim Petty (Nicole), Matthew Petty, Ryan Towner (Kari), Keith Towner (Julie), Laura Smith (Beau-Gabriel), Meredith Howell, David Howell (Kaci); 21 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Kirkpatrick (Chester) of Sedalia, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Flora Parsons; her husband, Vernon; one sister, Betty Jo Ellegood; and two brothers-in-law, Frank Branch and John Towner.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025, at First Baptist Church with the Reverend Melissa Hatfield and Stephen Attaway officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery.
The memorial service will be available on a webcast beginning at 11:00 a.m. Thursday. Friends may access the webcast by visiting Mrs. Towner's memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church, 301 E. Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101 or the Jefferson City Host Lions Club, P.O. Box 6613, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.