Memphis lost a familiar face and staunch advocate with the passing of former interim mayor and city council chairman Myron Lowery Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.
He was 78. A cause of death has not been released. Lowery is the father of current Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery.
“It is with a heavy heart that I personally share the news of the passing of my father, Myron Lowery — a man who embodied the spirit of this community. His life was a testament to dedication, leadership and love for Memphis. As his only child, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the profound impact he had on so many lives,” Mickell Lowery wrote on social media.
“Whether you knew him personally, crossed paths with him through his work or simply felt the ripple of his impact, we invite you to join us in celebrating his life and honoring his lasting legacy,” Lowery added. “Thank you all for your prayers and support during this tough time.”
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Greater Imani Church, The Cathedral of Faith, 3824 Austin Peay Hwy. There will be a private interment.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Myron Lowery, longtime public servant of Memphis, beloved father, husband, grandfather, mentor and civic leader,” the Shelby County Commission said in a statement. “Myron Lowery’s life was one of tireless dedication to his community and his family.”
In addition to being a notable local politician, Lowery was a groundbreaking journalist and longtime television anchor in the Bluff City. Although he never strayed from his adopted home of Memphis, his influence extended to national figures.
“Former interim mayor and Memphis’s longest-serving councilman, Myron Lowery, led a life of service with integrity and grace. Myron and I were friends for nearly 50 years. We supported each other through many elections but more importantly we were friends,” said Congressman Steve Cohen. “I will miss him and extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Mary, his son, Mickell, and the entire Lowery family. His was a life well-lived.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Memphis Mayor Pro Tem and longtime City Council Chairman Myron Lowery. A dedicated public servant, trusted leader and passionate advocate for our community. Mr. Lowery devoted decades of his life to the people of Memphis,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris in a statement.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Lowery was introduced to Memphis when he joined the WMC-TV news team in 1971. He was the outlet’s first full-time Black reporter. By 1973, his reporting led to a promotion to weekend anchor — a position he held for 12 years. During his time at the ABC affiliate, he won numerous national awards.
His 1974 documentary, Trouble in Mound Bayou, earned a Dupont-Columbia University Awards Citation for Distinction in Broadcast Journalism.
Lowery also served as vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists.
His ease in front of an audience and command of the issues were effective springboards to his next career.
Lowery entered public service in 1991, when he won a seat on the Memphis City Council. He was re-elected five times to his District 8 seat. During his 17 years in office, he also held a private sector role in FedEx’s corporate communications office. Lowery retired from the company in 2008. In between, he served as press secretary to former Congressman Harold Ford Jr.
After former Mayor Willie Herenton resigned in 2009, Lowery was tapped to serve as mayor pro tempore. The resignation allowed him to serve in that capacity while remaining City Council chairman.
During his 87 days as the city’s top leader, Lowery directed efforts toward transparency and removing members of Herenton’s administration. His work was short-lived. Voters were eager for change during the 2009 special election.
A September fist bump from the Dalai Lama didn’t even help his election. Lowery met the Tibetan monk during the National Civil Rights Museum’s Annual Freedom Awards ceremony.
Former Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton captured 60% of the vote to run away with the Oct. 15 contest.
Lowery returned to the council. His final term ended in 2015. Toward the end of his tenure, he prioritized the removal of the statue of Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan grand wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest from Health Sciences Park in Memphis’ Medical District. The remains of Forrest and his wife were also relocated.
“It is no longer politically correct to glorify someone who was a slave trader, someone who was a racist, on public property,” Lowery said at the time.
The city eventually sold the property to a nonprofit in 2017. The statue was promptly removed and relocated to a Sons of Confederate Veterans headquarters in Columbia, Tennessee.
He wrapped up his political career as Memphis City Court Clerk. His four-year term ended last year.
“My friend, Myron Lowery, loved Memphis and Shelby County,” state Sen. Karen Camper said in a statement. “He surely proved this in his long record of service as a Memphis City Councilman, Shelby County Commissioner, interim Memphis mayor and Memphis City Court Clerk. He truly dedicated his life to serving the people of Memphis and Shelby County.”
The years of public service provided several more opportunities.
In 1996, Lowery was a speaker at the Democratic National Convention. He also served as a member of the Democratic National Committee, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and as treasurer of the United Negro College Fund’s National Alumni Council. He was also a board member of the National League of Cities.
Lowery’s thirst for education paralleled his dedication to civic duty. After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from LeMoyne-Owen College, he earned Master of Science degrees from New York University and the University of Tennessee. In 2003, Lowery was also awarded an honorary degree from Southeastern College of Technology.
He was inducted into the National Black College Hall of Fame the same year.
Lowery also served on the LeMoyne-Owen Board of Trustees. Earlier this year, his alma mater dedicated the new Lowery Communications Center in honor of his contributions. The property was originally purchased as a home for his son while he attended LeMoyne-Owen. It was later donated to the school.
A statement from the school read: “LeMoyne-Owen College pauses to honor the life and legacy of Chairman Myron Lowery. A proud alumnus of this institution, Chairman Lowery lived a life marked by service, leadership and a steadfast commitment to Memphis. His indelible impact is felt in the halls of government, in the field of communications, and here on our campus — especially within the walls of the Lowery Communication Center, a gift from the Lowery family to prepare future generations of leaders.”
