Maude Elizabeth Gomez

Maude Elizabeth Gomez was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 1899. She fell asleep in Jesus on March 1, 2002, at Sinai Hospital in the presence of her daughter, Marguerite Harden. She had loving memories of her childhood days when she shared the home of her parents, William and Mary Lewis. Visiting her grandparents in Virginia during her early years was always a delight for her. However, one visit put a new incomplete chapter in her life. She heard a visitor tell her grandmother that the Sabbath was not the first day of the week; rather the 7th day was the Sabbath. She read it from the Bible and believed it. She knew that if she married, that person would have to be a Christian. Zebulon P. Morris was her choice. From their union five children were born: James (deceased), Irvin, Marguerite, Arnedia, and Bernice. Before her husband died she promised that she would take care of their children. Taking care of their children meant loving them, bringing them to Christ, preparing nutritious meals, having a clean and happy environment, and providing a good education. Her children were to respect adults and God’s House as well. The brothers and sisters could disagree, but they were never to strike one another. With sacrifice, all of her children would attend Baltimore Junior Academy for their early Christian education. Moving to Baltimore in 1928 was less stressfull than she expected because her mother was always willing to help her. However, she was not satisfied with the church that she and her mother attended, and she ventured out to find a church that kept all of God’s commandments. That church was located on Harlem and Dolphin Streets-First Seventh Day Adventist Church now known as Berea. When the late Pastor William S. Banfield baptized her in 1927, the incomplete chapter in her life was completed. For a while she worshipped at the Cherry Hill Church, and in her last days, at Berea. She was an Usher, member of the Dorcus Society, Deaconess, and a member of the 50+Organization. When she married Wilbur Gomez, she welcomed his daughter, Thelma Gomez, with love into the family. Throughout the years, many of her acquaintances spoke of her as being charming, humorous, gifted, and possessing irreproachable character. She was also industrious and social. During World War II she worked at Western Electric, and she was still bowling at 90. At 85 she earned her G.E.D. and received her acceptance latter from Baltimore City Community College. She was featured on several occasions on television and in public forums. However, those who knew her best admired her most for her continued determination to follow Christ, spread the gospel, and to share her blessings with the needy. Just the other day she said that she was looking forward to the thousand year’s vacation that God has promised for His children and hoped that her family will be there. She leaves to mourn: four children, one stepdaughter, seventeen grandchildren, sixteen great-Grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, one daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law, other relatives and precious friends.

Tributes

Maude Elizabeth Gomez

June 20, 1899 - March 1, 2002