Johnathan Raleigh Lower

Johnathan “Johnny” Raleigh Lower, son of Jonathan “JJ” and Mikayla Lower of Fairburn, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning of January 6, 2026.

Born a month early on August 27, 2025, he will forever be remembered as being a fighter from day one. He weighed in at 5lbs 1.3oz at birth and grew to 12 lbs by three months! His family was so looking forward to knowing how much he had grown at his four month appointment, on January 8th. With his big brown eyes and hilarious facial expressions, you knew immediately if he was judging you or pleased with you. His newfound giggles were contagious. Johnny was sitting up, getting ready to crawl, and four teeth were beginning to poke through. He loved his mama best and daddy next- he was so loving and accepting of everyone who wanted to meet him, to hold him, to talk to him. Johnny babbled nonstop the last few weeks. One of his last acts of kindness and charity was donating his heart valves so that two children in need will have a chance at normal life.

We who are left behind are absolutely shattered. The grief is crushing and immeasurable, but we take peace and comfort knowing he is in Heaven, always innocent, never to know the pain and suffering that comes with this life on earth. We know that he belonged to the Lord and that when Jesus came for him Johnny said “yes” and jumped into His arms, to the One who created him, and who loves him beyond anything we can comprehend.

He leaves behind so many who cherished him: his mama and daddy; maternal grandparents: Micah and Kelly Crews of Waycross, Georgia; maternal great grandmothers: Dorothy Harris of Waycross, GA, and Yvonne Chancey of Folkston, GA; paternal grandparents: John and Amy Lower of Conneaut, Ohio; paternal great grandmother: Susan Lower; Uncle Nathan Crews of Fairburn, Georgia,

Aunt Terra (Uncle Cole), and Cousin Alice Todd, of San Antonio, Texas, who are so sad they never got to meet him in person, Aunt Hannah (Uncle Ryan), and cousins Josephine and Coraline Sharp of Kingsville, OH, Uncle Nathan Lower of Conneaut, OH, and many great uncles and aunts, and great-great uncles and aunts.

He was preceded in death by maternal great-grandfather: John Raleigh Crews “Poppy,” and little Johnny’s namesake; maternal great-grandparents: Calvin and Betty Jean Daniels; paternal great-grandparents: Tom and Janet Smith; paternal great-grandfather: Larry Lower, Sr.; and various great aunts and uncles.

A service will be held at First Baptist Church in Folkston, Georgia at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with Bro. Randy Jacoby and Nathan Crews officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

The family would like to thank the first responders and medical professionals for their heroic efforts, and to the professionals at Life Link for their empathy and care of Johnny and his parents during the donation process.