Lumbee Legend - Reverend Doctor Fuller (D. F.) Lowry
Reverend Doctor Fuller (D.F.) Lowry was the son of Mr. Calvin and Mrs. Maria Sampson Lowry and the nephew of the famed Lumbee hero and leader Henry Berry Lowrie. Although he was only six years old when the Croatan Normal School (now the University of North Carolina at Pembroke) opened in 1887, he would go on to make history there. In 1905, nearly two decades after the school’s founding, Mr. Lowry became its first graduate, completing the “Scientific” course designed to train American Indian teachers.
Committed to lifelong learning, Dr. Lowry continued his education at Piedmont Business College in Virginia, pursued theological studies, and furthered his academic training at Duke University.
Rev. Lowry dedicated much of his life to education and leadership within his community. He served as principal of the Croatan Normal School from 1898 to 1918, guiding the institution during a critical period of growth and development. Beyond education, he played a vital role in advancing the identity and recognition of the Lumbee people. He helped lead efforts that resulted in the state officially changing the tribe’s name from “Cherokee Indians of Robeson County” to Lumbee in 1956 - drawing from the Lumber River that runs through our homeland. He strongly defended the name, emphasizing the pride, identity, and distinction it carried both locally and nationally. This legislation later contributed to federal recognition, though without full benefits.
In addition to his work in education and advocacy, Rev. Lowry served as a trustee of Pembroke State University (now UNC Pembroke) for more than twenty years. Through his varied roles as an educator, minister, and even a mail carrier, he remained deeply connected to the Lumbee community - serving its people, sharing in their hardships, and helping sustain their hopes.
In the February 03, 1966 edition of The Lumbee (newspaper), Rev. D.F. Lowry offered some tips to the community. He said “go to church every Sunday – never be late – get there and be seated inside a few minutes before time for the bell to ring for church. Always stay for worship service. Don’t ever leave a church before the benediction is pronounced.” Between those tips and his commitment to the community, over time, he became a powerful symbol of stability, resilience, and survival.
In 1971, Rev. Lowry was honored with the Henry Berry Lowry Memorial Award, a fitting tribute given his lifelong dedication to his people. Today, his legacy endures on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where the D.F. Lowry Building stands as a lasting reminder of his contributions. Rev. Lowry’s life reflects the spirit of a true trailblazer - one who devoted more than seventy-five years to the progress and empowerment of the Lumbee people.