Celestine Siggers

Celestine Matilda Siggers affectionately known by many as “Gumby”’ the daughter of the late Benjamin Galloway and Gertrude Johnson was born in Severn, Maryland on August 11, 1917. On Sunday, July 23, 2006, at 4:05pm at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center, She peacefully left this mortal world to tend God’s heavenly gardens.Celestine was raised in the Methodist faith and in her early years attended Metropolitan United Methodist Church. Being a devout Christian, and dutiful wife intent upon uniting her family in the love of God, Celestine became a member of St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland where her husband Russell B. Siggers was a faithful member. She remained at St. Katherine’s for over fifty years until deciding to return to her father’s church, Macedonia United Methodist Church “down home” as she called.Although Celestine’s formal education only spanned a few years, she had an enormous thirst for knowledge. She was an avid reader. Her appetite for the written word was reflected by her habit of reading almost everything that was put before her. She even read the children’s text books when they brought them home from school. She was able to converse on many subjects far beyond the confines of her limited formal education. During her years as a maid she was often scolded by her employer for reading the newspaper she put on the floors after scrubbing. One of her favorite scripture verses was, Matthew 6:33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things should be added unto you. Her nurturing spirit was also used to instill in her children a respect and compassion for humanity and nature. Being quiet in a thunder storm was her way to honor God and one of his most powerful expressions of nature. Respecting people from all walks of life who returned that decency was also important. Her lifelong loves were God, children, and flowers, all of which she tended with love and devotion.Celestine always said she could not give her children worldly things. However, her chant was that she could “see that all their bellies were full”, and this she did. Many who knew her can tell you of the endless tables full of “homemade breads, cookies, cakes, and pies she prepared. She spent countless hours canning and preserving the family’s harvest to prepare for the ensuing winters.A tireless worker, she was well aware of the strength, love, dedication, and benevolence of the African American Woman. Her encouragement and council aided if the creation of the African American Expo, The Forty Blossoms from the Bouquet. She felt that honoring these unsung heroes was “well overdue”.In spite of “Gumby’s” many hospital stays she was always brave, gracious, and smiling. The nursing staff and doctors always fell in love with her because of her humble and uncomplaining demeanor.She leaves to mourn but also rejoice in a life well lived: twelve of her eighteen children, Ruby, Arnold, Samoa, Delphine, Brenda, David, Timothy, Florence, Phillip, Teena, Michael and Linda; Nineteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, three great-great grand children; her beloved aunt, Florence Hayes, special childhood cousin, Blanche Stevenson, and a host of other cousins, relatives and friends.

Tributes

Celestine Siggers

August 11, 1917 - July 23, 2006