Dr. Gertie Lowe of Gadsden was named a Pillar of Education by the Gadsden City school system in 2014-2015, and manycredit her with laying a foundation for the people of her community through her mentoring, her work in her church and in civil rights. Lowe died Friday, and her passing marks "a tremendous loss" to the community, Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick said. Lowe was encouraged by her mother — who had a fifth-grade education – to value and strive for education. She did, becoming a nurse, and was honored as a top nursing home administrator. Lowe valued learning, not only for herself but for others. Some two decades ago, she mentored a child during the school year and continued through the summer months. She recognized the value of study in the summer and extended it to other children.