A Biographical Sketch of our Late Supervisor of the Department of Women

Mother Madgerene Cyars
“A Woman of Wisdom”

Mother Madgerene Cyars was the eldest child born to the late Deacon Maxwell Lowery and Mother Joallen Lowery, in Hawkinsville Georgia, November 23, 1930. Two brothers (William and Joe) and one sister (Anna Katherine) preceded her in death.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the young age of twelve. She was baptized by the founder of the Church of God in Christ, the late Bishop Charles H. Mason. She began her journey of fruitful work at Lockett’s Temple Old Adelaide, C.O.G.I.C. in Detroit, MI, under the late Bishop P.L. Lockett.

Mother Cyars was educated in the Detroit Public Schools. While in Detroit, Michigan, she furthered her education at the Lewis School of Business, Wayne State University and Detroit Bible Institute (later known as William Tyndale College).

A few years later Madgerene Lowery married Mr. David M. Cyars. Together they birthed three wonderful sons. Elder David M. Cyars, Martaez Cyars, and Kenneth Cyars (deceased).

Mother Madgerene (Madge) Cyars, was a very distinguished woman of great courage and wisdom. Everywhere that she went she was known to impart that strength, wisdom and understanding into someone else’s life. The mention of the name Mother Cyars to a stranger would always bring to their remembrance a time when she encouraged them to allow the talent that God endowed within them to be perfected. The gift she had to be able to see and draw out the greatness in others was never discriminatory.

Mother Cyars joined with the James Temple COGIC on East Warren Ave. under the pastorate of Elder A.R. James. In December of 1966, Mother Cyars extended the use of her home to Elder James A. Smith, Jr., to be used as the incubator for the founding of Evangel Church of God in Christ. She pledged her membership to Evangel at that time, and remained a faithful member until the Lord called her home.

As a chosen vessel she grew and developed in her call to the ministry of being a good steward and servant of God. She was well renowned and traveled all across the United States, as well as to other foreign countries, such as Rome to name one. As she balanced her career goals and accomplishments simultaneously, her relationship with, and work for the Lord always took first priority. She was employed by the Michigan Chronicle, and after 40 years of distinguished service she retired in 1992.

Her ministry as a good steward and servant was shared in various capacities in the Church of God in Christ, Inc. on the Local, District, State, and National levels. Her work on the Local level included the following areas: the Sunshine Band, Purity Class, Junior Choir, and Junior/Youth ministry.

In Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction, she was appointed as District Missionary for the Evangel District circa 1962 under the late Supt. Johnny Warren, and continued in that capacity under Superintendent James A Smith, Jr. until her appointment as Jurisdictional Supervisor of the Women’s Department in 2003. Mother Cyars also served any many other capacities in the Jurisdiction, including: Purity Class President, YPWW Chairlady, President of the Teenage Club, Jurisdictional Women’s Department Public Relations Chairperson, Second Assistant Supervisor under the tenure of the late Mother Mary Jane Hopkins, and First Assistant Supervisor to the late Mother Lillian Keyes-Johnson. She was appointed as the Jurisdictional Supervisor of the Women’s Department under the auspices of Bishop Phillip A. Brooks in 2003, following the demise of Mother Johnson.

Her stewardship in the National Church included: the National Steering Committee, a member of the National Public Relations Committee under Presiding Bishop L.H. Ford, Chairperson of the National Women’s Department Public Relations Committee, Platform Coordinator, Adjutant Mother, Writer for the Sunday School World, and member of the National Executive Board. She also assisted in the compiling and supplementation of the Women’s Handbook, revised edition, and the Organization and Procedure Handbook, revised edition, during the tenure of Mother Mattie McGlothen, Fourth General Supervisor, Department of Women.

She was an extraordinary example to many individuals whereby she had the distinguished honor of attending the Holy Convocations in Memphis, TN as well as the International Women’s Conventions for more than 47 years.

Under the leadership of Mother Cyars as Jurisdictional Supervisor, she inspired and licensed a significant number of Evangelist Missionaries and Deaconess Missionaries.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, writing, and cooking. Mother Cyars loved the Lord and found joy and peace in her favorite Scripture: Psalms 121:1-4 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

Mother Madgerene Cyars’ last days were spent sharing memories and good times with her family, friends and church family. She leaves to cherish her memory: A loving and devoted mother, Mother Joallen Lowery; two sons, Elder David Cyars and Martaez Cyars (Rose); one Aunt, Rhinie Sorey; one sister, Essie Moss; a special daughter, Glenda London; 15 grandchildren: Maria, Angell (Roderick), David, Davine, Hilda, Ilene, Ivan, Aaron, Herrod (Tracy), Joseph, Leonard, Laurie, Eleazar, Tawsig, and Amateis; 34 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends, her adoring church family, and many special sons and daughters. She also had one grandson who preceded her in death.