Sheriff Joseph “Joey” Edward Lowder, 60, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, August 18, 2018 at his home.

Joey was born December 4, 1957 in Stanly County to the late “Chief” Hoyle Edward Lowder and the late Ardath Lambert Lowder.

He was also preceded in death by brother, Sheriff Roger Hoyle Lowder; niece, Amy Lynn Boger; sister-in-law, Jeannette Edwards; and brothers-in-law, Edsel Edwards and Doug Branch.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, August 20, 2018 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Mineral Springs Baptist Church, 4694 N.C. 205 Hwy., Oakboro, and will be officiated by Rev. Brian Medlin, Rev. Michael Taylor and Rev. Mark Edwards. Burial will follow at the Mineral Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Survivors include wife, Rita “Toonie” Hathcock Lowder of Oakboro; sister-in-law, Debra Lowder, nephews, Cody Lowder and Colton Lowder; aunts, Marcel Moore, Jewell Parker, Jewell Lambert and Carolyn Lowder; sisters-in-law, Joan Branch, Sue (Wade) Stogner, Joy (Junior) Harris; nephews, Chris (Angie) Stogner, Mark (Lisa) Edwards, Jeff Branch, Jason (Stacy) Stogner; great-nieces, Meg Stogner Mason, Claudia Boger, Sarah Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards and Anna Edwards; great-nephews, Vance Stogner, Jacob Stogner, Chance Boger and Benjamin Edwards; and a future great-great-niece baby Mason.

Joey was the first DARE officer of Stanly County. In 2001 he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pfeiffer University.

He was the Sheriff of Stanly County from 1992-1998 and the Chief of the Oakboro Police Department until he retired in 2016.

He was a member of First Street Methodist Church.

During his 40 years of service to the community as a police officer he served the towns of Stanfield and Oakboro, and also as a Deputy for Stanly County.

He was the Mayor of Oakboro, and a two time Pro-Tem Police Commissioner for Oakboro. He was also a two time recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award in 2012 by Governor Perdue and in 2016 by Governor McCrory.

Memorials may be made to Mineral Spring Baptist Church Cemetery, 4693 N.C. 205 Hwy., Oakboro, NC 28129.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Lowder family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.

Visit https://www.thesnaponline.com/2018/08/18/former-sheriff-joe-e-lowder-dies/ for more on his life.