Lawrence H. Custis

Lawrence Henry Custis was born in Nassawdox, Virginia on September 4, 1920 to Levin and Jessie Custis. He was the third of seven children. At Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Hospital, he was called to eternal rest in the morning hours of April 5,2002. Lawrence, affectionately called Larry, was educated in the public schools of Northhampton County, Virginia. After graduation he attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University where he received hid Bachelor of Science degree. Directly following he was called to serve in the United States Army during World War II. When Sergeant Custis came back to the states, he furthered his education at Cornell University thus obtaining a Master of Science in Industrial Arts. So that he could share his wisdom with children, Larry became and Industrial Arts instructor at Sollers Point High School and Arbutus Junior High school, respectively. After his tenure in teaching field, he continued his career at the Maryland State Department of Education as the Director of Vocational Education. Though education and career were extremely important to Larry, family was paramount. In Between his service duty and graduate school, Lawrence married his childhood sweetheart, Louise Ann Ayres. This beautiful union of fifty-eight years produced four children, Wayne, Bernadette, Andrea, and Yvette. The church and the community were extensions of Larry’s family, and he loved serving them both. He received numerous awards for various committees and projects in which he was involved. Two of which he was extremely proud were his instrumental role in the building of the N.M.Carroll Home and his active fight for civil rights in Cambridge, Maryland. Larry’s hobbies were traveling, swimming, and attending social affairs. He could also be found deeply involved with home improvements.He leaves to mourn: his loving and devoted wife, Louise; his children, Wayne Custis of Ocala, Fla., Bernadette Michele Hamilton of Baltimore, Md., Andrea Custis of Philadelphia, Pa., and Yvette Custis-Jones of Randallstown, Md.; one sister, Shirley Williams of Hampton, Va.; one daughter-in-law and three sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, DeNae, Tommy, Michele, Mikhal, Nahketah and Rachel; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Tributes

Lawrence H. Custis

September 4, 1920 - April 5, 2002