Norma Lowry Rash

URBANA - Norma Jane Lowry Rash, 93, of Philo, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Monday (Aug. 25, 2025) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Norma Jane Lowry was born on a farm near Ewing on Nov. 30, 1931, the youngest of five children of Chloe Jenkins Lowry and Caleb Lowry.

Norma Jane was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Nina Lowry and Betty Lowry Hankins; brothers, Charles William "Bill" Lowry and Enos Lowry (died in infancy); and husband of 45 years, Virgil Paul Rash.

She is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Rash Jones (Walter); three sons, Scott Rash, Timothy Rash (MingRong) and John Rash (Lianne); five grandchildren, Holly Jones Moten (Colin), Forrest Jones, Yujia Wang (Junjie), Airin Rash and Alea Rash; and three great-grandchildren, Daisy Yang, Henry Yang and Asher Jones Moten.

Norma was a proud graduate of Benton High School and Southern Illinois University (B.S.), where she studied home-economics education. She taught elementary and secondary school, and married Virgil on June 21, 1958. After living in the St. Louis area, they moved to Champaign-Urbana, where they raised four children. Later she worked for Collegiate Cap and Gown and then as a technical specialist in the University of Illinois library system.

She was active at Temple Baptist Church in Champaign for many years, serving the church and the community in many ways. In recent years, she had moved her membership to the First Baptist Church in Savoy. She also served as a leader in 4-H and as a den mother for the Boy Scouts. She was beloved by her family and many friends.

Family and friends are invited to visitation at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana, on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., and to the memorial service Monday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with interment afterward in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. The Rev. James G. Shelton will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Empty Tomb Ministries, Inc., working to prevent childhood deaths around the world, at emptytomb.org/, or to her church, First Baptist Church of Savoy. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.