Obituary of Madappallil Skariah

Rev. Dr. Madappallil Skariah went to be with the Lord on January 3, 2024. He was the son of the Late Thomas Skariah Madappallil and Mariamma. He was brother of the Late Thomas Skariah, the Late Rev. Dr. P.S. Samuel, the Late Rev. M.S. John, the Late Sosamma, the Late Annamma, and the Late Kunjamma. He is survived by his wife Susy, daughter Anita, son Samuel, their respective spouses Lance and Tamy, and their 4 grandchildren, Sabena, Sebastian, Cole, and Rian.

Rev. Skariah was born on August 25, 1936 in Kerala, India. He is a graduate of Kerala University and obtained a Masters degree in Botany from Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, Orissa. He went onto work as a research assistant at the National Rice Research Institute and later as a professor at Christ College in Cuttack, Orissa.

In 1967, Rev. Skariah emigrated to the United States to pursue further studies. He obtained a second Master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University and then went on to obtain a Doctorate degree in theology. He then moved to Chicago, Illinois to become a licensed social worker at Cook County Hospital in Illinois, where he spent 25 years providing care for patients who were either uninsured or had no place to go. Although social work became his primary vocation in the United States, his greatest calling was to teach the gospel. Alongside his brother, the Late Pastor P.S. Samuel, they worked to establish the Church of God in Raipur, where he went on to become the president and principal of the Ebenezer Bible College up until the time of his death.

Rev. Skariah genuinely loved and cared for people. He actively sought out opportunities to share the gospel with friends, neighbors, and fellow believers in his local church. There’s nothing more that brought him great joy than sharing a good meal with friends and talking about scripture. He was one of the most hospitable people you will ever meet. He had an uncanny ability to connect deeply with people; he never knew a stranger. He also never forgot a face whom he had met, no matter how fleeting the meeting.

Rev. Skariah passed away peacefully in his home in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He will be remembered for his caring personality, his gift of teaching, and his deep faith in God.

A funeral is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at The Summit Church North Durham Campus at 3262 Rose of Sharon Road, Durham North Carolina. Flowers and condolences can be sent to Walker’s Funeral Home of Hillsborough which has been entrusted to care for the Skariah family.