Theresa Ann Wachuku

On Sunday, August 20, 2023, God sent his host of Angels to bring home to rest His humble servant, Theresa Ann Wachuku. Affectionately known as “Grandma” to her grandchildren, Theresa was born on March 16, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland, the sixth child of Mary Elizabeth Lomax. As a young child, she was baptized by Bishop Winfield Showell at First Apostolic Faith Church, 27 South Caroline Street in Baltimore, Maryland. There she was a member of the children’s choir, and later a faithful member of the Echoneers, the young adult choir. Always the gospel singer, Theresa became a member of the Friends of Provident (Hospital) Gospel Choir in the 1970’s, and the agape Choral Wind at Huber Memorial in the 1980’s (at 29th and The Alameda). At Huber she later joined the Sanctuary Choir, the Son Rise Choir (at 5701 York Road) and the Grand Choir at (5700 Loch Raven Blvd). During this time, she was also a faithful member of the Heaven 600 Choir which drew members from the Greater Baltimore- Maryland region. Theresa was quiet, reserved, pensive; never loud or aggressive. So, whenever she spoke forcefully to get her point across, everyone took notice. Theresa enjoyed watching classic black and white movies featuring the larger-than-life movie stars of old. Her grandson Emari, unaccustomed to the absence of color, at an early age dubbed them grandma’s gray movies. From that point on, everyone called Theresa’s cinema favorites “the gray movies.” When she wasn’t watching movies or singing, she played matching games, sorting games, and video word games on her tablet or smart phone. Theresa’s family was her life. From March 16, 1979 (when her daughter Charmaine was born on Theresa’s birthday) until the day se went home to be with the Lord, Theresa looked forward to and enjoyed every moment she was blessed to spend with her family. Her daughter Charmaine, her grandson Emari, and her granddaughter (and shadow) Endiah brought her great joy. Theresa, Charmaine, and her children along with Glenn, Carolyn, April and her children enjoyed many summer vacations together including trips to resorts in the Poconos, Williamsburg, Bush Gardens, Massanutten, Basye Virginia, and Orlando Florida. For the past ten years before she became sick, Theresa and Carolyn with their youngest sister Brenda spent a week in Ocean City together during Brenda’s birthday in May. In September of 2012, she experienced her first flight on an airplane and her first visit to the Grand Canyon when she traveled to Las Vegas and Arizona with Carolyn, Glenn, and her nephew Steven. Lending a helping had during Theresa’s illness, her grandchildren’s father Eugene Robinson was available as a caretaker—watching over Theresa, preparing meals for her and providing transportation to and from doctor's appointments. Throughout her life and later illness, she was always surrounded by a loving and caring family. Theresa was the sixth child among eight siblings, and she and her sister Carolyn were only fifteen months apart. At a very young age Theresa and Carolyn were in foster care together. Consequently, Carolyn became Theresa’s sister/mother and they were inseparable as children and adults. As Theresa was the taller and more reserved of the two, many people thought that she was the older and wiser sister. Unbeknownst to others, however, it was Theresa who followed in Carolyn’s footsteps. Carolyn was graduated from Dunbar High School and two years later Theresa was graduated from Dunbar High School. Carolyn was married in 1968, and Theresa was married in 1969. Carolyn received a Bachelor’s degree from Coppin State College in Elementary Education in 1970 and Theresa later attended and received a Bachelor Degree from Coppin State College in Elementary Education. Carolyn taught kindergarten and Theresa taught kindergarten. Carolyn had one child, a daughter whom she named April Michelle Dorsey and Theresa had one child, a daughter whom she named Charmaine Michelle Timberlake. Carolyn joined Huber Memorial Church in the 1980’s and Theresa later joined Huber Memorial Church in the 1980’s. Carolyn has a grandson born in January, 2003; Theresa has a grandson born February, 2003. Theresa and Carolyn have granddaughters who are seven months apart in age and they too were inseparable in Huber’s Church School for many year. Carolyn retired from the Baltimore City Public School System in June, 2011 and Theresa retired from the Prince Georges County Public School System in June, 2012. In the fall of 2012 Pastor P. M. Smith offered Theresa the opportunity to join the faculty at Hope Academy. An offer she couldn’t refuse, she joined the faculty and served for several years as teacher, substitute teacher, and librarian before completely retiring. To love is to remember and Theresa’s memory will forever remain in the hearts of her loving daughter Charmaine M. Timberlake, grandson Emari E. Robinson, granddaughter Endiah Robinson, caretaker Eugene Robinson, one brother Elwood Davis, four sisters; Bessie M. Gray, Louise Talbot Ellis, Carolyn Dorsey, Brenda Lomax, two brothers-in-law Glenn Dorsey and Paul Ellis, one daughter-in-law Lakilya Nicole Johnson of Delray Beach, Fl, life-long friend Adele Sutton, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Theresa was preceded in death by her mother Mary Elizabeth Lomax, and two brothers Dennis A. Talbot Sr., and Larry Lomax.

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Theresa Ann Wachuku

March 16, 1950 - August 20, 2023