They say young love never lasts—but Reuben Alford Lowery and Clara Bessie Rogers would have something to say about that.
They married on July 18, 1934—on what Bessie thought was her 17th birthday (read about Bessie's birthday mixup here Twins Born On Different Days?). Reuben was 23. And from that day forward, the two built a life together that would span over three decades, five children, many homes, and countless family memories. Not everyone was thrilled about their young love—especially Bessie’s mother, Lou Perry Rogers. The details are a little murky, but it’s safe to say Lou wasn’t Reuben’s biggest fan. Maybe it was the age gap. Maybe it was that Bessie married so young. Whatever it was, the tension between son-in-law and mother-in-law never quite faded.
But Reuben and Bessie pressed on. In 1936, their first child, Henry Alfred Lowery—my grandfather—was born. At the time, the couple lived off Falls of Neuse Road, now know as Old Falls of Neuse Road in Wake County, in a modest home near Reuben’s family. Their home sat on what is now New Falls of Neuse Road. Reuben worked at the old cotton mill across the river, and Bessie stayed home raising Henry. Life was tough, but they were happy.
Their second child, Clara Aileen, came along in 1937, born just 10 months after Henry—“just a young couple in love,” as my grandpa said. The young family bounced around quite a bit—moving in with Reuben’s parents for a time, living in Wake Forest with no electricity, milking cows, drawing water from the well, and listening to a battery-powered radio by the glow of oil lamps at night.
They then would move to Franklin County. Their days were simple and hardworking. Tobacco and cotton fields, wagon rides to town, farming with the help of a mule named Ole Kate. There were joyful times—and scary ones too. Once, after moving back to Wake Forest in Thompson Mill Road their daughters Clara and Louise got lost in the woods while looking for the cow. It took all night to find them, the whole community helped. I can only imagine the fear Reuben and Bessie felt, and the sheer relief when their little girls were returned safely home.
In 1948, the family finally got electricity. But they still had to be frugal—only one light on at a time!
By 1950, they had settled on Joyner Davis Road, where their last child, Alice Faye, was born. Bessie even learned how to drive. Reuben started managing a chicken hatchery in Youngsville, and later opened a small poultry business with Mrs. Davis, the widow of his former boss. They made it work—until larger hatcheries took over. Reuben then took jobs at local food stores, where he earned a solid reputation and close friendships. When cancer struck in 1966, Reuben could no longer work—but Johnny Lyons, the son of his former employer, kept paying him anyway. That tells you everything you need to know about the kind of man Reuben was.
Reuben passed away in 1967. Bessie lived another 39 years in the last home they purchased. The home still stands—since remodeled but the old chicken hatchery still sitting in the back yard. She never remarried. She remained devoted to him—and missed him every single day until her passing in 2006.
Reuben and Bessie Lowery built more than a home-they built a legacy of love, resilience, and faith that continues to grow to this day. Together they had 6 children, raising 5 into adulthood. and from their humble beginnings in rural North Carolina, their family blossomed into something more. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren, who then brought 20 great-grandchildren into the world, and those great-grandchildren have continued the legacy with 17 great-great-grandchildren (and counting).
It’s easy to talk about marriages in terms of dates, houses, and jobs. But Reuben and Bessie’s story is about more than that. It’s about love that outlasted hard times. About farming with mules and oil lamps. About five children and rides to church. About sticking together even when things weren’t easy—and they often weren’t.
Reuben and Bessie may have started out young, but their love grew deep roots. Roots that stretch all the way to me—and now to you, reading this.
Places They Lived & Where Their Children Were Born
1. Old Falls of Neuse Road (Wake County, NC)
Henry Alfred Lowery – born September 11, 1936
2. Mangum Hill (Near the Cotton Mill, Wake County, NC)
Clara Aileen Lowery – born July 20, 1937
3. House next to Wake Union ChurchMary Louise Lowery – born September 28, 1939
4. Jackson Road (Youngsville, NC –became Lye’s Dairy Farm)
Elizabeth Carolyn Lowery – born December 11, 1942
5. Thompson Mill Road
(No births here, but this is where the girls got lost in the woods)
6. Joyner Davis Road
Alice Faye Lowery – born September 5, 1950
(This is also where Bessie learned to drive!)
7. Near Woodland Baptist Church (Ed Davis house)
Family became active church members, Reuben served as a deacon
8. Joyner Davis’s Home (later purchased by Reuben & Bessie)
Ran a chicken dressing business here.
👇 Share your memories or stories in the comments below—I’d love to hear them!
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