Arrangements announced for Evelyn Lowery

Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery and his wife, Evelyn Lowery (USA Today)

ATLANTA -- Evelyn Lowery, wife of civil rights leader Dr. Joseph Lowery, died Thursday morning. Mrs. Lowery suffered a massive stroke last weekend. She was 88.

MORE | Evelyn Lowery dies from stroke-related complications

Arrangements for services for Mrs. Lowery were announced Friday afternoon.

There will be a public viewing at Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Road from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday. A second viewing will take place Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College. The Homegoing Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, also at the King Chapel on the Morehouse campus.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made payable to either SCLC/Women, Inc., Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Educational Tour, 328 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303 -- or -- Joseph E. Lowery Institute, PO Box 92801, Atlanta, GA 30314.

The Lowery family said Wednesday doctors told them damage from the stroke was "irreversible" and had brought her home from the hospital.

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The Lowery family released a statement Thursday morning:

In the early hours of the morning, surrounded by her family and husband of close to 70 years, Mrs. Evelyn Gibson Lowery made her transition in the comforts of her home. Having suffered irreversible damages after experiencing a severe stroke on last Wednesday evening, Mrs. Lowery returned home on last evening, having been under the constant care of medical experts at a local Atlanta hospital. After having received guidance from the medical experts that there was nothing more medically that they could do, the Lowery family returned their beloved Evelyn home to peacefully rest around those she loved.

"My beloved Evelyn was a special woman, whose life was committed to service, especially around the issues of empowering women. She was a wonderful mother and wife and I thank God that she didn't suffer any pain and that I was blessed having her as my partner, my confidant and my best friend for close to 70 years. I will miss her each and every day, but as a man of faith, I know that she is with her God," stated Rev. Lowery. "My entire family has been overwhelmed by the continuous outpourings of love, support and prayers that have come from across the country and we ask for your continued prayers over the next few days."

Mrs. Lowery was the founder of S.C.L.C. Women, Inc. the sister organization to the historic civil rights organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the creator of the annual Drum Major of Justice Awards that is held annually in April in Atlanta, GA. Funeral announcements are yet to be announced.

In a statement Thursday, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed celebrated Mrs. Lowery's life, calling her a champion for human rights.

"On behalf of the City of Atlanta, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Rev. Joseph Lowery. Today we remember Mrs. Evelyn Lowery, a remarkable woman in her own right, who dedicated her life to promoting equality, liberty and justice for all people. We are all a direct beneficiary of her sacrifice, service and work as a champion for human rights. Her legacy will continue to encourage many individuals, like me, to live with integrity, pride, courage and faith."

Rev. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center, released a statement regarding Mrs. Lowery's death Thursday afternoon:

"I am deeply saddened by the death of Mrs. Evelyn Gibson Lowery, and my heart goes out to her husband, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery and their three daughters, Yvonne Kennedy, Karen Lowery and Cheryl Lowery-Osborne. We are never prepared to say "goodbye" to a loved one.

"Evelyn Lowery was not only the beloved wife and active partner of one of America's greatest civil rights leaders, but one of the most admired and respected veterans of the American Civil Rights Movement. She was a dedicated and energetic leader in her own right. As founder and chair of SCLC/Women, Mrs. Lowery provided tireless leadership to empower women, protect and educate children and nurture families. She further led the way to making a difference in the world by establishing the Drum Major for Justice Awards Dinner, the Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Tour, and the Bridging the Gap -Girls to Women Mentoring Program.

"The King Center joins the civil rights community in mourning the loss of our dear sister, Mrs. Evelyn G. Lowery. But we celebrate her life as a good and faithful servant of God and humanity, whose indelible contributions will continue to inspire us as we carry forward the struggle into the future."  

Evelyn Gibson Lowery was born February 16, 1925 in Memphis to the Rev. and Mrs. Harry Gibson. Her father was a major presence as president of the local chapter of the NAACP. Before the age of 18, young Evelyn committed herself toward a future of working for the future of those around her.

On May 5, 1946, she joined her life with that of Rev. Joseph Lowery as the two of them began their long and loving marriage.

In 1979, seeing a special need for women and families, Mrs. Lowery formed SCLC/Women's Organizational Movement for Equality Now as an offshoot of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

In 1980, she founded the Drum Major for Justice Awards Dinner. In 1987, Mrs. Lowery founded the Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Tour, a two-day motor coach tour across Alabama.

In 1995, she created the Bridging the Gap - Girls to Women mentoring program. Later that year, she led to the purchase and renovation of the historic Tabor Building on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, which now houses the offices and resources of SCLC/W.O.M.E.N, Inc.

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Woman found shot in car on Jimmy Carter Blvd.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- Authorities are searching for the suspect in an early morning shooting in DeKalb County. 

According to Gwinnett County Police, authorities located a woman shot in her car near the 5600 block of Jimmy Carter Boulevard. The woman was alert, breathing and conscious when she was discovered. Authorities did not know how many times she had been shot or when the shooting occurred. 

Officials with Gwinnett County think the shooting occurred in DeKalb County near Lawrenceville Highway. DeKalb County is handling the investigation, at this time. 

Authorities say the woman was transported to a local medical center. No further information was immediately available. 

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Tim Hudson talks injury and future as free agent

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (15) pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA, Ga. -- There's no single thing that defines a man. Life is never that simple. But for Braves pitcher Tim Hudson, a three time all star whose 14 year career has never had a losing record, the night of July 24th was a defining one.

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"It was probably one of my better games of the year. I was feeling good."

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The Mets Eric Young was at bat. He hit a ground ball that bounced off Freddie Freeman's chest and Hudson ran to cover first base.

PHOTOS | Tim Hudson fractures ankle

"Once he threw me the ball I kind of reached to make sure I was on the bag one more time and that's when he was making contact with the bag. My foot was in the wrong place, my foot was about this far, too far to the right. There was a loud pop and I heard it and I felt it and I screamed and Eric Young screamed and I was like 'Oh my gosh, I cannot believe this just happened. Like I knew it was something really bad."

This is what the end of the season for Tim Hudson looked like. There would be no championship run. Just an endless loop of a gruesome injury he couldn't bring himself to watch right away.

"It looked really bad but honestly it felt like it looked worse. I felt like it was Joe Theisman-esque."

Two months later, Hudson has graduated from the boot to flip flops -- his fractured ankle and torn ligament slowly improving.

"Physically I'm doing okay. The surgery went really well and the healing process is well on its way."

There is no good time to get injured but this was a bad time. At 38 years old, Hudson is a free agent at the end of this season. 

"I would want to stay here. I know that I can still pitch at a high level, at the top of a rotation for a championship team."

But in the fickle financial world of baseball, Hudson knows life can quickly change. So he's staying in the moment, enjoying his time home with his wife and three children.

"I got to take the kids to first day of school this year for the first time ever. I've taken them to school but never the first day of school. So that was really awesome.The kids are really really digging it. they're liking daddy being home."

Their daddy likes it too. But he misses his day job, the one that puts him on the mound, hurling that next sinkerballer or cutter, sealing that next victory.

"My number one concern is getting healthy and getting strong and proving to Atlanta or whoever else that I'm healthy and I'm going to be able to be full speed in spring training."

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Government Shutdown showdown intensifies

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is teetering on the brink of a partial shutdown and congressional Republicans are vowing to keep using an otherwise routine federal funding bill to try to attack the president's health care law. 

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Congress was closed for the day Sunday after a post-midnight vote in the GOP-run House to delay by a year key parts of the new health care law and repeal a tax on medical devices, in exchange for avoiding a shutdown.

The Senate is set to convene Monday afternoon, just hours before the shutdown deadline. Majority Leader Harry Reid has already promised that Democrats would kill the House's latest volley.

Since the last government shutdown 17 years ago, temporary funding bills known as continuing resolutions have been noncontroversial, with neither party willing to chance a shutdown to achieve legislative goals it couldn't otherwise win. But with health insurance exchanges set to open on Tuesday, tea-party Republicans are willing to take the risk in their drive to kill the health care law.

Associated Press

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Coke CEO: Company is ready for Obamacare

Coca-Cola chairman Muhtar Kent at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York last week. (Getty Images)

ATLANTA -- The Coca-Cola Company's chairman and CEO, Muhtar Kent, says economic recovery will be slow, that youth unemployment is a big issue that needs attention, that the Atlanta-based company is ready for Obamacare, and that Coke continues to have big plans for growth in Africa, where the company will invest $12 billion over the next 10 years.

Kent discussed the topics at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York last week, during an interview with Fox News' Liz Claman.

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Regarding the economy, Kent said, "We feel that the recovery is slow. What is really important to add is that it is not a surprise. Way back in 2009 when all of this sort of erupted, it was destined not to be, the way it happened, it was destined not to be a fast, typical, cyclical recovery."

Kent added, "Everybody needs to understand. Investors. Consumers. Governments. Businesses. All need to understand. This is not a straight line. That this is going to be long, protracted and painful. And therefore we all need to adjust. Adjust not once or twice, but every single year and every single month. Adjust so that we can have enough firing power to ensure we find ways to grow. Growth is the critical element."

When asked by Fox News about Obamacare, Kent said, in part, "We will adapt as all businesses and do what is necessary to serve our people well and also to ensure that our costs stay in line. You got to balance. It is a balancing act. We have a number of flexible plans to choose from ready to go once that happens."

Kent said he believes youth unemployment is a big societal issue. He said businesses and governments need to partner to solve the issue. He said too much is expected of national governments, and that business needs to partner with "sub-national" governments, mayors and governors to bring down youth unemployment.

Kent said the company is growing in all markets, and continues to see Africa as a big opportunity for growth. He said Coke will spend $12 billion over the next 10 years to grow in Africa - double what the company has invested there in last 10 years. Kent said seven of 10-fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa.

(Atlanta Business Chronicle)

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Transit trains collide in Chicago, 33 hurt

Two rapid transit trains collided in Chicago on Sept. 30, 2013 with a number of passengers taken to local hospitals (WMAQ)

CHICAGO (WMAQ) -- More than 30 people were injured Monday morning after two trains running on the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line tracks collided, CTA officials confirmed.

The accident happened just before 8 a.m. at Harlem Avenue and Interstate 290 in the Forest Park branch. A westbound train was struck by an eastbound train heading toward the Loop, officials said.

Forest Park is a northwest suburb that surrounds much of O'Hare International Airport.

Blue Line service between Forest Park and Austin was suspended due to the incident, CTA officials said. Shuttle buses were in place and inbound trains were moving normally.

CTA officials said 33 people were injured in total and nine of them transported to area hospitals.

Forest Park Mayor Anthony Calderone told reporters most of the transported riders complained of neck or back pain.

Witnesses said at least one person was taken away on a stretcher, but the CTA tweeted the injuries were "minor."

Loyola University Medical Center confirmed they received four patients from the collision but said their injuries were "not serious."

Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park said they are treating two patients in good condition and West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park reported they received one patient in good condition.

Martinez Butler, a locomotive engineer for another train company, was standing at the corner when the trains collided.

"There was a train that was stopped at the station. Another train came through and looked like it blew the signal, because I heard beeping," she said. "I'm a locomotive engineer. I know the systems, I know the sounds. When you hear those beepings it's warning you that there is an obstruction in front of you and you need to stop."

(WMAQ Chicago)

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Local student killed in shooting at Tuskegee University

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AP) - Police are continuing to search for suspects in the deadly shooting of a Tuskegee University student gunned down at a block party over the weekend.

WSFA-TV reports that Tuskegee police and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation are investigating the Friday night slaying of 21-year-old Bobby Smith of Mableton, Ga., just northwest of Atlanta. He was shot in the back and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Tuskegee University President Gilbert Rochon said in a statement that the university community is mourning the death, and "we are all deeply affected by this terrible incident."

Smith, a finance major who played for Tuskegee's tennis team, was the father of a baby who is less than a month old.

Authorities say they're not certain of the shooter's motive.

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