Mr. Dennis Herbert Fisher III

DENNIS HERBERT FISHER III, the only child of the late Bernice Robinson Fisher and Dennis Herbert Fisher II, was born April 13, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland. After a valiant fight with a very lengthy illness, he peacefully departed this life on May 1, 2024, at Fairland Center Nursing Facility in Silver Spring, Maryland. Dennis was raised in Baltimore City, where his family faithfully attended St. James Methodist Church during his younger years. As a student in Baltimore City Schools, he was known as a precocious young man, who had a deep love for reading and learning. While Dennis was a student at Douglass High School, he obtained his very first job as a photography apprentice to "Mr. Fred" and worked in his camera and photography store in Mondawmin Mall. He also became interested in other technologies, spending countless hours programming computers with his godbrother, Craig Newton. Just prior to him graduating with honors from Douglass High School, Dennis' beloved mother, Bernice, passed away from an acute illness. Surrounded by a family of faith, he was encouraged to lean on the Lord as he navigated this terribly difficult time in his young life. The tragedy of his mother's sudden passing motivated him to study God's word more intently. In 1967, Dennis joined the Navy and proudly served his country in the honor guard unit. He was honorably discharged due to a medical disability. After his discharge, he received a commendation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Community for serving our country and giving generously to help protect America and her veterans. By the grace of God, Dennis enjoyed a myriad of experiences, developing his charismatic and engaging personality along the way. Throughout Dennis' adult adult life he held a variety of jobs. He became well known as a master fish cutter, who would amuse his customers with his humorous sayings and anecdotes, while working in the Pantry Pride Market's seafood department. He also used his rich voice and quick wit as a radio announcer for news and the weather. He served as a security officer at a variety of businesses and establishments, one of which was the Woodstock Job Corps Center, where he met the love of his life, Maria. In the 1980's Dennis and Maria were both employed at the Woodstock Job Corps Center. She was a residential supervisor for the youth living on campus, and Dennis monitored and secured the facilities. He took an interest in her and began his pursuit. Maria, not wanting to get involved with someone with who she worked, was hesitant and initially declined his advances. At some point, they discovered that they had mutual friends who encouraged the growth of their friendship. Over time, Maria was willing to open her heart to him and their relationship grew. On August 20, 1988, Dennis and Maria were married in a small wedding in a small wedding at her parents' home in Baltimore, surrounded by a group of family friends. Throughout their 35-year marriage, Dennis and Maria demonstrated a deep commitment to their vows. Dennis was an avid reader, with a thirst for learning new things. He loved assisting Kayenda, his stepdaughter, with her schoolwork and science projects, which consistently won awards and delighted her classmates and teachers. His encouragements helped to ignite her passion to pursue a degree in engineering. Due to a series of medical events, Dennis' career as security officer drew to close. Subsequently, he endured many life-altering, medical setbacks and was admitted to the hospital numerous times, often receiving a prognosis that he may not survive. There were many occasions where he was placed on life-support and required critical care. After one of these events in the summer of 2013, the medical staff recommended that he be placed in hospice, because his life was ending; however, the sovereign God had a different plan and moved by His power, time and time again, to sustain Dennis' life. Through it all, Maria cared for her husband, and was constantly at his side. When COVID-19 restrictions closed nursing homes to visitors, Maria spent her last visit encouraging Dennis by reading Psalm 91, singing songs, and praying that the Lord would protect his whole unit in the nursing home. God demonstrated his great power and mercy through miraculously protecting Dennis and the other ventilator-assisted residents during the major wave of the virus in the State of Maryland. Every patient on Dennis' pulmonary unit survived to the glory of God. After 6 months of COVID restrictions, Maria was able to go back inside the nursing facility to resume Dennis' personal care routines and revived things that he likes to do for fun. Dennis enjoyed the wide variety of activities his wife prepared for him: listening to classic tunes through headphones, using boxing gloves for range of motion exercises, and receiving spa-like services, among many other things. He also enjoyed attending Sunday School and the men's prayer and fellowship time via Zoom each week. Maria was committed to maximizing Dennis' quality of life and was even able to arrange a high-energy birthday party with family, and friends to celebrate Dennis' 75th birthday. It was a party unlike any the nursing home had seen. Throughout the following year, God continued to provide resources for Dennis' care, even as he progressively became more ill. There were always loyal and diligent caregivers who were willing to assist Maria in her tireless efforts to oversee his care while he was in the nursing homes. With God's help, Dennis fought a good fight, finished his course, and lived a life worth honoring, and we give God the glory. "Cares are past, he is home at last, forever to rejoice." He leaves to mourn in his passing: wife Maris Fisher; stepdaughter Dr. Kayenda Johnson; cousin Dorothy Casey; godbrother Craig Newton; in-laws Randolph Parker, Sheariah Roberts, Dr. Cecil Parker Jr. (Rosemary); a host of nieces & nephews and many treasures caregivers and friends.

Tributes

Mr. Dennis Herbert Fisher III

April 13, 1948 - May 1, 2024