Mrs. Janie Cowart Madry, who was a pillar of society and an inspiration to all, died peacefully on June 14, 2022.  She was 104.  Janie Mary Washington was born April 30, 1918 in Albany, Georgia to Garfield Washington and Marion Reynolds Washington the eldest daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Charlotte (Toombs) and Collins James Reynolds, Senior. Mrs. Madry's mother and stepfather, Mr. Volliver Cowart, raised her.  Mrs. Madry, along with her brothers, Chester R. Cowart (Deceased) and Ashby V. Cowart (Deceased), moved to Jacksonville, Florida at an early age and she attended and graduated from the prestigious Stanton High School.

Upon graduation from high School, Mrs. Madry attended Florida A&M College (now Florida A&M University). She graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1951, after taking time from her studies to begin her family with her loving husband, Dr. Arthur C. Madry, renowned leader in the field of education throughout the state of Florida.  She completed her Master of Science degree in Education in 1967.  Each summer from 1950 through 1960, Mrs. Madry studied Elementary Education at The Ohio State University where her husband was completing his Masters and Doctorate degrees.  In addition, she pursued advanced studies in Diagnostic and Clinical Reading at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

As one of the most effective reading teachers in the State of Florida, Mrs. Madry excelled in teaching of reading to students in pre-kindergarten through 6th grade, and was the Chairperson of the Duval County First Grade organization.  She is credited with enabling her own grandchildren and countless numbers of other children to read above grade level at an early age. Because of her success as a reading teacher, she was promoted to a Reading Coordinator for the Duval County school system, one of the largest school districts in the nation.  When Mrs. Madry retired from Duval County Public Schools, she accepted the request to serve as Director of Internships and as an instructor to pre-service student teachers at Edwards Waters College, a position she held for several years.

Further, Mrs. Madry provided music lessons, in her home, to students of all ages who desired to learn how to play the piano.

Mrs. Madry was a dedicated Golden Soror of Gamma Rho Omega Chapter of the renowned Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.  She was the first chairperson of the Chapter's Elementary Reading Program. She wrote and submitted a Fastback Reading Program for the Sorority, served as a Delegate to the 1972 Denver Boule, and subsequently to the Miami and the Charleston Boules.  She served as Chairperson of the Ethics Committee and Chapter Anti-Grammateus for two terms. She received the Chapter Leadership Award, an Outstanding Service Award and the Alpha Kappa Alpha National Reading Experience Award in 1975.

Among her many other civic and educational organizations were memberships in: Kappa Delta Pi, an educational sorority; the Omega wives organization called the Quettes for which she served as President; the Board of Trustees for the Jacksonville Public Library; Chairperson of the Historic Black Cemetery Steering Committee; the Girls Scouts of America, Troop 218; the International Reading Association; the Retired Teachers Association of Duval County and the State of Florida; the National Council of Negro Women; the NAACP; and the Garden Circle.

At an early age, Mrs. Madry accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and she remained active in her church activities her entire life, first at Simpson Methodist Church as a youngster, and then after marriage, as a member of St. Stephen A.M. E. Church with her husband and in-laws.  She taught Sunday School for over 50 years, served as a counselor for young parents, Assistant Pianist for Sunday School, Director of the Promotion and Missionary Education Committee, President of the J.A. Singleton Church Board, and an emerita member of the Board of Stewards.

She was a devoted wife to Dr. Madry, a doting mother to their two daughters Dr. Marilyn Frances Madry Lightfoote, (deceased) and Dr. Jacquelyn "Jackie" Yvonne Madry-Taylor.  She was also a loving grandmother who was affectionately known as "Suga" to her two granddaughters, Dr. Lynne Jan-Maria Lightfoote, and Jana Taylor Jennings, Esq., and to the multitude of others she considered family.

Mrs. Madry enjoyed a very active life during her retirement spending time with her family and friends, traveling, skiing, entertaining members of her many organizations.  She also enjoyed laughing and telling stories of her childhood in the "good ole days" in Albany with her grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  In 2018, Mrs. Madry relocated to Northern Virginia to live near her immediate family.

Mrs. Janie Cowart Madry's contribution to the community, the nation and to her family is a legacy which serves as a role model for all and will live on forever.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Arthur C. Madry; daughter, Dr. Marilyn Madry Lightfoote; son-in-law Dr. William E. Lightfoote, II; brothers, Chester Cowart (Vanchetta) and Ashby Cowart (Johnnie); and first cousins Collins J. Reynolds, III, Lt. Colonel Harvey Reynolds, Lucien Reynolds, Jr., Charles M. Reynolds, Jr., Howard "Sonny" Hancock, Charles J. Hancock, and Johnieve Hancock Dingle.  She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter Jackie, granddaughters Lynne and Jana (Curtis); nieces Gwendolyn Cowart Watson, Pamela Cowart Asberry; nephew Colonel Ashby Cowart, Jr. (Melanie); first cousins Bette Byer Edmiston, Janice Liggins (Randy); close family members Harvey L. Taylor, Pearl Collins Mackey, Tia Mackey, Margie Alvarez Witherspoon, a host of other relatives and many, many special friends.