IN MEMORIAM: Jane R. Cosby

Jane R. Cosby was born on August 11, 1929 to Charles and Vivian Royster in the City of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. She died on May 13, 2025.

Her spiritual enrichment began in childhood, and continued for the rest of her life beginning in the Episcopal Church; first at St Barnabas, a black mission of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Germantown. After marrying, she and her family worshiped at Mt Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Once her children were grown, Jane would later return to St. Luke’s, Germantown, followed by The Church of St. Asaph, and finally at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Chester, PA. No matter where she worshiped, Jane was a dedicated and devout follower of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For Jane, this meant that her life must be a living testament of her faith and the words of the Baptismal Covenant, "I will with God's help."

Throughout her life, Jane's dedication to the church was of primary importance. Because of this value, once she retired from secular employment, she embarked on the next phase of her journey.  After rejoining her beloved St. Luke's Episcopal Church, her unquenchable desire to serve led her to join, and tirelessly work in organizations at the Parish, Diocesan, Province, and National levels of The Protestant Episcopal Church, U.S.A. While at St Luke’s, she was a member of the Vestry, Choir, and the Canterbury Society. She also chaired the Stewardship Team, served as President of the Episcopal Church Women, and was a member of the Evangelism Committee. In the Diocese of Pennsylvania, she served on the Bishop's Staff, Standing Committee and the Anti-Racism Commission. At the Province level, she was an Evangelism Consultant for Bishop Robert Rowley and at the National level, she was a five-time General Convention Deputy, serving on the State of the Church, Stewardship and Development Committees, Abundance Advisory Committee to the Church Pension Fund, Vice-chair of the Ministry Development Commission, and the Committee to Nominate the former Presiding Bishop. Ms. Jane Cosby is also a recipient of the The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez Bishop’s Award for her numerous years of dedicated service to the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Cosby was preceded in death by her husband Thornhill Cosby, of more than fifty seven years, both her parents, and her brothers Julian and Daniel Royster. She is survived by her three children Tyembe, (formerly Thornhill Jr.), Jane, and Paul, three grandchildren Ato, Omari, and Nia Hand, and five great-grandchildren Carter, Tristen, Sophia, Dominick, and Aiyanna.