Elder Cynthia Graham – Monongahela

Elder Cynthia Graham went home to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, March 23, 2022, surrounded by those who loved her. She was born on May 24, 1957, daughter of LaVania Dorothy Greene-Byrd and the late Charles Byrd. She was raised in North Charleroi and graduated from Charleroi High School in 1975. Elder Graham accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and was baptized while in college. She accepted her call to bring forth the word of God and was licensed to preach the gospel at Clark Memorial Baptist Church in Homestead under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Donald A. Tunie. She took her call to preach seriously — always sharing an intensity and passion that points people to the hope and possibility in Christ. Elder Graham graduated from California State College in California, Pa. in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring in special education. She also completed a four-year study of the Bible through Clark Memorial Bible School. She attended classes at Greater Works School of Ministry on healing and praise and worship. She obtained a master’s in theology at Mon Valley Bible Institute. She received her diploma from Shiloh Bible Institute in Ministerial Studies in 2008. In 2013, she graduated from Shiloh Bible School of Missions. She also had the opportunity to take classes in ministering the full gospel, praise and worship and effective evangelism. She was blessed to minister on two short-term mission trips to Mexico in 2010 and Guatemala in 2013 through River of Life Ministries. She has preached and taught at various churches, ministries and retreats throughout the Mon Valley area and beyond. She served as an ordained elder at Christian Life Ministries in Monessen under the pastorate of senior pastor Elder Robert C. Holmes. She also served on the Intercessory Prayer Team, Praise Team, Usher Board, Elders Council and as director of Women’s Fellowship. She was the committed servant of God’s word, preaching, teaching, mentoring, recognizing that the word of God is a treasure of inestimable value, guarding it, proclaiming it, and patiently instructing those who do not understand or accept it. She was grateful to God for His grace and mercy, which continued to be extended to her. Her constant prayer and desire was that God would continue to use her to be a blessing to someone else, to allow her to plant and water and He would bring the increase. One of her favorite scriptures is Psalm 34:8 “Oh taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” She has tasted, seen and was certain that her refuge could be found only in Him. After 35 years of service, Graham retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs, in 2018 as a licensing representative for community programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Byrd; her aunt, Klara Greene Brown; her dog, TJ.; and cousins, Don Earl Jones and Deborah Massey. She leaves to cherish her memories her beloved husband, Darnell; her beautiful daughter, Tilden; her loving mother, LaVania Dorothy Byrd; one uncle, Donald (Billie) Greene of Medina, Ohio; three aunts, Barbara (Lynward-deceased) Avery Greene of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Reverend Jessie (Ulysses) Reynolds of Annandale, Va., and Dorothy Jones of Monessen; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Doreen Smith of Homestead; godmother, Alice (Larry) Hyman of Silver Spring, Md.; god-sister and god-brothers, Donna, David and Kyle; special sister cousin, Clara (James) Cheek of Durham, N.C.; a longtime “BFF,” Kathy Mills; a gang of cousins that love each other dearly, that visited her, prayed with and for her during her last days, Ronnie, Eilean, Daryl, Charmie, Klara, Donnie, David, Greg, John Sydney, Nicole and Ashley; and other relatives and friends. Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2022, at Christian Life Ministries, 1201 Patton Ave., Monessen, PA 15062. A homegoing service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022, with Elder Jack Howell doing eulogy. Arrangements are entrusted to WILLIAM R. TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 645 McMahon Ave., Monessen, PA 15062. Trudy L. Taylor, director in charge.