Adrienne Savage

ADRIENNE MARIA SAVAGE... We all know that smile when we see it and that laugh when we hear it. They will never be forgotten and neither will she. Adrienne was born on December 17, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland to the late William Lee "Bill" Morton and Elizabeth Anne "Bettye" Morton. As a nod to Bettye's Catholic faith and beginning the naming tradition in the family, Adrienne was the first to be given the middle name of Maria. Soon after, Adrienne would be joined by her sister, Alexis Maria, and then their baby brother, Edward Aaron. The three children grew up watching their father's business acumen at work in running their family's moving and hauling business alongside his father and brother, as well as watching their mother's avid reading and civic group involvement. Along with her siblings, Adrienne watched both of her parents practice their faith and commitment to their respective churches. She also witnessed her parents' avid traveling, sense of style, and penchant for entertaining - something not lost on Adrienne in her adult years. Through the years, Adrienne hosted her own social events, including pool parties and formal ladies' luncheons at her parents' long-time home on Liberty Heights Avenue. Some of the events were even covered in the society pages of the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper. Early on, Adrienne received her education at St. Cecilia's Catholic School and graduated from St. Francis Academy for Girls in 1966. Adrienne participated in a rite of passage important to Black American social circles when she participated in The Cotillion and was presented as a debutante, a young woman making a formal entrance into society. Adrienne attended Morgan State College before starting her long-time career with the federal government at the United States Social Security Administration. Adrienne's tenure at the Administration included the significant move from the Woodlawn Campus to the Downtown Baltimore location. Adrienne held many positions there. The one she loved most was being an Analyst because she loved the challenge of solving problems. Anyone who knew Adrienne knew she was very stylish and always kept up with the latest trends in fashion and music. In 1966, Adrienne married Dr. Vernon Savage and from that union, their daughter, Tonya Maria, was born. Tonya was the first to call Adrienne "Mommie." Adrienne and Tonya were always together. They went on trips to Disneyland, Niagara Falls and many other places. Adrienne ensured Tonya went to the best schools and passed down her liking for fashion and style to her. Everywhere that Tonya went people would remark how much she was Adrienne's "mini me" and how she looked just like her. In 1978, Juaacklyn Lakeisha was born to Adrienne and James Woodson. A doting mother, Adrienne was there to walk Juaacklyn through becoming a mother herself and loved on her sons as if they were her very own. Adrienne, a longtime resident of Norfolk Avenue, took great pride in her home, its decor, and its ownership, and taught her daughters to do the same. Family was very important to Adrienne. She loved her siblings, Alexis and Aaron. She took a special interest in the lives of her niece and godchild, Keir, and her nephew, D'Edward, who both lovingly referred to her as "Auntie Em," just like the character in "The Wizard of Oz." Adrienne extended love and support to others including godchildren and other relatives, but nothing could compare to the joy she felt in later years when she became a grandmother. Adopting the name of "Nana," Adrienne was always involved and on the go with her grandchildren. They each had their special time and memories with her. Adrienne made frequent visits to Niles Ross as a young child and after his first move away from home to Atlanta. She traveled all over the United States with Ayanna Maria during her gymnastics competitions. Adrienne shepherded Benjamin through high achievement in elementary and middle school and eventually to acceptance at The SEED School of Maryland and she had a front row seat for milestones in Joshua's life. Adrienne demonstrated her love for each one of them by showing up, being a cheerleader, and loving on them. For her grandchildren, Adrienne scheduled trips to Great Wolf Lodge and sought out excursions to see plays locally and in New York. Always having such flair, she added a second hole in her ear and a hand tattoo to match her granddaughter. And with the birth of Bella Maria, Adrienne's great-granddaughter, she saw that she had even more love to give. She enjoyed every moment she spent with Bella, seeing her grow and blossom. In recent years, while courageously battling her own illness and undergoing treatment, Adrienne was a caregiver for her mother, Bettye, until she became too ill to continue. Adrienne often said that being retired was the best thing to happen to her. Retirement from the federal government gave her the freedom to travel cross country and abroad, sail on many cruises, and attend dinner and musical theater productions locally and out of state. And let's not talk about the bus trips and the casinos! Adrienne's favorite pastime was going to casinos with her travel partners. A typical itinerary for Adrienne included going to Washington, D.C. to see the musical, "Whitney", having lunch at the United House of Prayer's Paradise Cafeteria, and then stopping by Ben's Chilli Bowl for takeout. A recent list of her excursions from 2023 included visits to the Mohegan Sun Casino in The Poconos of New Jersey, Delaware Park Casino, Ocean Casino in Atlantic City, and the Parx Casino in Philadelphia. As recently as April of this year, Adrienne made plans to visit Dubai along with her travel partner, Tina. Retirement also gave Adrienne more opportunity to engage, enjoy other interests and practice her faith. Adrienne eventually joined her mother, Bettye, as a member of The Chums Club. Adrienne was always well known for her potato salad and her spaghetti, but once the Ravens Football Team came to Baltimore, she bled purple! She was ready to go on Sundays or other game nights, making sure her wine was chilled and her hors d'oeuvres were prepared for her watch parties. She even got the family involved in her Ravens fandom, taking Juaacklyn, Benjamin and Joshua to Ravens fan events and ensuring everyone had jerseys to wear when games were broadcasted. Over the years, Adrienne was a member of The New Psalmist Baptist Church and a member of The Central Baptist Church, both of Baltimore City. Adrienne later decided to join The First Baptist Church of Baltimore, where her father's family has been well rooted since 1908. Adrienne quietly departed this life and went to heaven to be with the Lord on August 20, 2024, after her struggles with cancer. As she requested, she was surrounded by love and her family - her daughters, her son-in-law, her grandchildren and her great-granddaughter. Adrienne was preceded in death by her father, William Morton, her older brother, William R. Morton, and younger brother, Edward Aaron Morton. To cherish her memories and to remember the values and lessons she instilled in them, Adrienne leaves her mother, Elizabeth Morton; her daughters, Tonya Austin and Juaacklyn Woodson; son-in-law, Leroy Austin; sister, Alexis Morton; uncles, Lawrence E. Morton Jr., Larry Morton, and Lee Morton; grandchildren, Niles Ford, Ayanna Austin, Benjamin Coleman and Joshua Coleman; great-granddaughter, Bella Webb; niece, Keir Morton-Manley; nephew, D'Edward Morton; godson, Brandon Ford; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Adrienne Savage

December 17, 1947 - August 20, 2024