Martha Janet (Shuster) Lowery

Martha Janet (Shuster) Lowery, 76, was received by the Lord Jesus on March 29, 2025.

Born to Raymond and Martha Shuster in Detroit, MI on November 16, 1948, Martye grew up with her brother, Raymond Shuster, Jr. She devoted herself to the study of music and received her bachelor’s degree in Music—Vocal Performance from Wheaton College (IL) and her Master of Music degree from Youngstown State University. She married her college sweetheart, Jim Lowery, in 1974; their 40-year marriage was the greatest joy of her earthly life. She taught piano and voice lessons for many years, both at home and at McHenry County Community College in Crystal Lake, IL, where she also taught Music Theory and Appreciation. In 1995, Martye shifted from a professional musician to a financial data entry analyst for Good News Jail and Prison Ministry in Richmond, Virginia. She never stopped singing, though, and enjoyed several years singing under Jim’s direction in their church choirs and also with the Richmond Symphony Chorus. More recently, she served her beloved church family in music at Muddy Creek Baptist Church.

Her favorite “job,” though, according to her, was being a wife, mother to Stephanie (Matt) Van Gorden and Jonathan (Sara) Lowery, and grandmother to Jackson, Katherine, Elizabeth, Riley, Ian, Julia, and Owen, all of whom survive her. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Marilyn Shuster and Claudia Gerwin, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, and her brother-in-law, Lee Gerwin.

More important to her even than her beloved family and friends, though, was her relationship with the Lord. In her own words: “I always think I can’t live without my family, favorite foods, my cell phone, my car, health, friends, and so many other things. However, when it comes down to it, I had none of these things when I entered the world, and when I leave this world, I will take none of these things with me. What will make the difference is that I belong to Jesus Christ Who has made it possible for me to be reconciled to God through His death and resurrection.”

After a private burial service, Martye’s family will receive friends and family on Friday, April 4, 2025 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Muddy Creek Baptist Church, 3470 Trenholm Road, Powhatan, VA 23139. A memorial service to remember Martye’s life and celebrate God her Savior will follow at 3:00 p.m., Pastor Jeff Beard officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Muddy Creek Baptist Church or Good News Jail & Prison Ministry.