Minnie M. Montague

Minnie (Johnnie Mae) Montague “Mutter”, the first child of the late John Ford and Mable Ford Bailey, was born on September 18, 1918 in Great Falls, South Carolina. After an illness on August 14, 2007, she made her final journey home.Mutter’s family moved to Baltimore when she was a young child. She was reared in a Christian home and educated in the Baltimore City public schools.Mutter married her childhood sweetheart, James Montague, Sr., who preceded her in death. From this union, five children were born: Annette, James, Jr., Jerome (deceased), Brenda and Regina.Mutter was a homemaker who sometimes worked in the catering industry. She was an active volunteer in her community. In 1942, she established and served as the first president for the Mother’s Club of McCullough Homes. She also served as the PTA President of Samuel Coleridge Taylor Elementary School #122, continuing even after her children had completed elementary school.She was born Johnnie Mae Ford, but showing her independent streak at an early age, she legally changed her name to Minnie Mae. However to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, their friends and family, she was known as “Mutter.” She loved her family, raised her children, and helped to raise her grandchildren and friends children. They all came under her nurturing wing. Anyone who came into contact with Mutter quickly learned how very proud she was of the educational and personal accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.Mutter touched so many people. She always had time to listen – and she could really keep a secret. She had a great sense of humor.Mutter was intelligent, an independent thinker, outspoken, and known for her quick wit. She would have made an excellent lawyer for the defense or the prosecution.Mutter’s other love was for God and her church, where she served faithfully for many years in many capacities. Mutter joined and became a dedicated member of the Pennsylvania Avenue A. M. E. Zion Church in 1941 under Reverend Marion Edwards. In 1942, she joined the Usher Board and served as its secretary until her illness. Mutter loved being an usher.Mutter was a member of the Usher’s Union, where she served on the Education Committee. She chaired and organized the annual Usher’s May Luncheons, one featuring the Honorable Kurt Schmoke, and another featuring Oprah Winfrey. She was active with the YMCA Luncheons, the King and Queen Rallies and the After-School Children’s program. Mutter was also a member of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, the Tuesday Bible Study Class and the Senior Brigade.Mutter leaves to cherish her memory: brother, Marshall Ford; three daughters, Annette Heigh, Brenda Darrell and Regina Valentine; son, James Montague, Jr.; three sons-in-law, Roscoe Heigh, Larry Valentine and Welllington Darrell; ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren; five nieces, Rosalyn Simon, Diane McPhail, Michelle Jackson, Mable Ford and Artelia Ford; a special “son,” Andrew Morton; special “daughter,” Judy Wells; a very special life-long “buddy,” Bernice Campbell; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by another member of the AME Zion Church family; her sister, Artelia Gibson. Her sister, Jacolian McCord and her brother, Charles E. Ford, also preceded her in death.

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Minnie M. Montague

September 18, 1918 - August 15, 2007