- Date Of Birth: August 4, 1913
- Date Of Death: September 4, 2015
- State: Michigan
Myrtis McDonald Lowery went home to be with her Lord on Friday, September 4, 2015.
She was born in Lincoln Township on August 4, 1913 to the late Bernard C. and Ida E. (Howe) Madison. She married Miles E. McDonald in 1934. He predeceased in 1977. She later married Ray Lowery who predeceased her in 1997. She was also predeceased by her son Roy McDonald; her daughter Rena Richards; brother Russell E. Madison Sr.; sister Ethel Varner; step son LaVern Lowery; step daughters Florence Klinger and Thelma Jenks; and nephews Donald Varner and Russell E. Madison Jr.
Mrs. Lowery’s career with Probate Court began March 10, 1935; serving as Register, Secretary to the Children’s Worker and as Child Welfare Agent. She was elected as the first woman Probate Judge in Midland County in 1948 and served in that capacity until her retirement, July 1, 1979.
She had served as a board member and/or sponsor for Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Eagle Village, Child Protection Agency, President of the Social Service Club, Chairperson of the Youth Action Committee and President of Volunteers for Youth (the group that established Harbour House as a shelter home for troubled youth of Midland County).
She was a long time member of First United Methodist Church and served as voluntary secretary from 1941 to 1945. She was a life member of the Michigan Probate and Juvenile Court Judges Association, a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Probate Court Judges, Michigan Probate and Juvenile Court Judges Emeriti, the American Judicature Society, National College of Probate Judges and the International Association of Probate Judges.
Mrs. Lowery was recognized by Who’s Who in American Women; received the Civitan Citizen of the Year Award, Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds, Campfire Girls National Woman of the Year Award, and as a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow. Further recognition of her efforts on behalf of the youth of Midland County were presented to her by the Optimist Club, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the Chamber of Commerce, the Midland Board of Commissioners, the Juvenile Justice Association and the Michigan Legislature. As a resident of Independence Village she was active with the bible study group and worship services.
She is survived by a niece Elaine Kastl of Midland; nephews Russell E. (Arlene) Madison of Arizona, James L. Madison of Florida; step daughter Audrey Jenks of Lakeland, Florida; several grandchildren, great, and great great grandchildren. Mrs. Lowery has been especially grateful for her care giving granddaughters Penny (Bernard) Fleischmann and Janet (Jeffrey) Maxwell both of Midland; the Independence Village Staff, the Senior Home Care Solutions care-givers and Kristen Lipinski, RN, Americans Hospice Care.
“I would like the memory of me to be a happy one. I would like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways of happy times and bright sunny days. I would like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories I leave when my life on earth is done.”
