My grandmother, Mary Ruth Magers, lived from May 11, 1925, to July 22, 2017. At her death, she was 92 years, 2 months, and 11 days old. The majority of her life was dedicated to God and following His Word. At the age of thirteen (13), Jesus saved her and she never wavered from her commitment.
How did God use Mary Ruth Magers?
My grandmother turned the world "upside down." She didn't turn a whole continent upside down like Paul and Silas (Acts 17:6). She used her life to share the Gospel with people she met. The result was an influence for Christ that spanned seven (7) decades with countless lives touched.
A Pastor's Wife
One of the ways God used her was as a pastor's wife. At the age of fifteen (15), she married L. R. Magers. He wasn't a pastor when they married, but he surrendered to the ministry after his service in World War II. She told me many times that early in his ministry she made the conscious decision to "support his ministry and never be a hindrance." And so she did, she tried to stay a faithful pastor's wife who got along with everyone and never got into arguments.
Through her years of experience, she encouraged other pastor's wives to fulfill their ministry to their husbands. She encouraged my wife many times about her own ministry to me, to the church, and to the community. As far as I know there are no accolades or awards for being a faithful pastor's wife, but there are definitely challenges for the one who is not faithful.
A Faithful Teacher
God used my grandmother as a teacher in many churches. Some of my earliest memories are from her driving a church bus taking Angel (my sister) and me to Temple Grove Baptist Church. She taught Angel in Sunday School and it was her teaching that influenced Angel to be a school teacher.
For the last twenty (20) years or more, she taught a senior adult class at First Baptist Church in Nettleton. She was a faithful teacher who studied her lesson for hours each week so she could teach and apply the Word of God to her students. Many times, she would call me during the week to ask about one of the passages. I enjoyed our conversations so much and will miss them.
Lastly, she was a faithful teacher in that she hardly ever missed her class. The only time she would miss was if she was sick, and that didn't happen too often. When she vacated her teaching position for a Sunday, she would let her substitute know many weeks in advance so he or she could prepare himself or herself.
A Dedicated Evangelist
My grandmother wasn't an evangelist in the sense of a vocational calling, but she was an evangelist. If a family moved into her neighborhood, they could expect a visit from her. She would ask them about their relationship with Jesus and eventually get around to inviting them to church. If the person or family wasn't responsive, my grandmother would pray for them and look for other opportunities to share the Gospel with them.
In January 2017, my grandmother had some complications from a surgery which landed her in the hospital for many weeks. I talked with her one day on the phone and she told me that she had already witnessed to every doctor, nurse, and nursing assistant who had come into her room. Even when she felt bad, she had a desire to see people know her Lord and Savior.
Conclusion
My grandmother died on Saturday, July 22, 2017 around four (4) o'clock in the morning. Her funeral was arranged for Monday, July 24th, at First Baptist Church. Even in her death, she was focused on doing what she had always done, bring honor and glory to her Lord and Savior. She designed her funeral from start to finish around the Word of God. Her funeral was a moment of worship, teaching, and evangelism.
I'm thankful for the time I got to spend with her. I'm thankful for her ministry to me when I was on drugs. (Here is my testimony which tells of my grandmother's influence on me during that time.) I'm thankful for her prayer ministry for me during my pastorates.
I've often wondered what a life centered on Jesus Christ could accomplish? Now, I realize that all I have to do is look to my grandmother's example to see those results.
The audio file below is a voicemail my grandmother left me before I went to the Philippines in 2015. She made this call to me on 5/21/2015 to let me know she would be praying for me.
What a blessing Mrs. Magers was to so many. She worked hard on that bus ministry at Temple Grove Baptist Church and was personally responsible for so many children being picked up. She was a perfect example of a Christian ,and Pastors wife. My family and our church family at Temple Grove thought the world of her and Bro. Magers. What a blessing they were to me and mine! What a wonderful Christian lady and what an impact she made on all who came in contact with her! The model for a Pastors wife!
How perfectly worded! So thoughtful to write this.
Your grandmother met needs for people who didn’t recognize they had needs. My mother was a stay-at-home and didn’t have time for many social activities. I think Mrs. Magers sensed that Mama was lonely and knew that Mama liked to fish. She asked if she could go fishing with Mama. Since Mama didn’t drive, Mrs. Magers provided transportation. That got Mama out of the house and focused on something other than work. Mama talked about those fishing trips for the rest of her life.
Every word is so true i truly loved your grandmother she will be missed by so many it was a blessing to know her all these yrs and i loved the times at our little church temple grove may god direct you in all your days ahead with the teaching and preacjing of his words lots of love tks for sharing pam christopher
I am so glad you wrote this tribute to your Grandmother. She was truly a Woman of GOD.
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