Mary E. Deshields

Mary Naomi Deshields (nee Ellis), after fighting a long valiant battle, slipped away peacefully to be with her LORD on April 18, 2007, at the University of Maryland Medical System. She was born on April 29, 1930 to the late Grafton and Cora Ellis in Baltimore, Maryland.She received her education in the public schools of Baltimore City.For a short period of time, she was employed at Baltimore City Hospital and later became a crossing guard at the corners of Stricker Street and Lafayette Avenue. She “loved” those school children and those children “loved” her. Mary also served as an election judge on voting days.Mary dedicated her life to Christ in 1951, and joined the First Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Leo K. Caesar, where she remained a member until God called her home.She was united in holy matrimony to Thomas Guy Deshields (they also shared the same birthday), and from this union she was ushered into motherhood by the blessed births of her children, Tanya, Valerie, Thomas Jr. and Tracie.She enjoyed shopping and looking good!! She also loved to bake (pineapple upside down cake was her specialty), travel, and sew. You should have seen some of those outfits she sewed for her children, as well as the matching outfits she designed for Thomas and herself. She enjoyed bowling and spent many hours at the Lafayette Avenue Bowling Center.Mary was active in her children’s PTA, little league baseball team, and the Carroll Improvement Neighborhood Association. “Honey”, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and other loved ones, took great pride and pleasure in supporting their endeavors.While supporting her husband, who worked in Fire Protection, she was a founding member of the Wives of Fire Fighters and was elected their first president. In 1974, the group incorporated and eagerly carried out their goals to render help to needy families, provide assistance to fire victims, and to assist the Volcano Blazers, Inc. (predominantly Black Firefighters).Mary leaves to cherish her memory: devoted husband and friend, Thomas G. Deshields Sr.; children, Tanya Deshields-Yates (Richard) of Catonsville, MD, Valerie K. Deshields of Charlotte, NC, Thomas G. Deshields Jr. (Lisa) of Charlotte, NC and Tracie Deshields-Carey (Antoine) of Woodlawn, MD; two sisters, Betty J. Keys and Joyce Y. Stanley (Roland) of Baltimore; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Joshua, Brittney, Malika, Thomas III, Antonio and Anthony; one sister-in-law, Mildred Deshields of Philadelphia, PA; devoted friends, Ernestine Campbell and Delores Chamblee; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Mary E. Deshields

April 29, 1930 - April 18, 2007