Mary Ellen Smith Lowery was born on Sept. 6, 1936, in Gaston County, North Carolina, to parents Excell Smith, Sr., and Mary Alice (Teretha) Nixon Smith. She died on June 17, 2024.

Mary Ellen grew up in Mount Holly, N.C., where she attended Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Reid High School in Belmont, N.C. Following graduation, she moved to New York City. In 1957, Mary Ellen married Leon Lowery, her husband of 59 years.

In New York City, Mary Ellen worked for the city’s Human Resources Division. She also spent several years working for the Visiting Nurses Association of Gloucester County, N.J. However, her main job outside of the home was serving alongside her husband, Rev. Leon Lowery, during his pastorships in Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Lowery; parents, Excell and Teretha Smith; sister, Sylvia Ann (Christine) Smith Mobley; brothers Rossie Lee, James Edward, Clarence, and Elwood Smith; and granddaughter Charmaine Brown-Skipper.

She is survived by her children, Vicky McDonald of Quincy, Illinois, Terrence Lowery (Lisa) of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, Mark Lowery (Sheila) of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Madearia Lowery (Darren) of Gibbsboro, N.J.; sisters Dorine Smith Love and Janie Smith Sumpter (Turner) of North Carolina; brothers Robert Smith (Lillian) of North Carolina, and Excell Smith, Jr. (Bonnie) of Milwaukee.

She also is survived by grandchildren April Spears, Janna Ewing, Antonio Brown, Justin Lowery, Sydney Nelson, Amber Joseph, Megan Lowery, Wesley Lowery, Reginald Lowery, Andre Lowery, and Darius Lowery.

Mary Ellen also is survived by great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Viewing will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 10:30 am til 11 am, followed by the funeral at 11 am, at Grace Temple Baptist Church, 15 E. Charleston Ave., Lawnside, N.J.

Cards can be sent c/o Madearia Lowery, 411 Independence Way, Gibbsboro, N.J. 08026