Obituary of Mary K. Claude

Mrs. Mary K. Claude, age 88, of Baltimore, transitioned Monday, February 22, 2021 in Baltimore, MD. Mrs. Claude was born December 27, 1932 in Accomac, Virginia. She was a Nurse. A public viewing will be held Friday, March 12, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD (21133). The Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Claude will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021at 1st Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2209 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD (21217) where the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with services to follow. The interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Gwynn Oak Saturday, March 13, 2021 immediately following services. Mary Katherine Hall Claude was born in Onancock, Virginia on December 27, 1932 as the seventh of nine children conceived by the late George and Mary Hall. After a brief illness, Katherine transitioned from her earthly life, through the Grace of God, to her eternal home promised in the Holy Scriptures, on Monday, February 22, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Katherine's heavenly transition officially completes "The Hall Family Circle" as she is now reunited with her siblings, in addition to her parents, that preceded her in death: Juanita (John) Humphrey, Irene (Fred) Conquest, Hilda Washington, Hayden (Rosetta) Hall, Inez (Bill) Strand, Thelma (Clifton) Williams, Brooks (Christine) Hall, and Elaine (Chester Jr.) Pettit. Katherine's educational foundation was established in the Accomack County School System. Upon her relocation to Baltimore, Maryland in 1951, she completed her academic training and enrolled into nursing school. While in Baltimore, she became acquainted and fell in love with the late Mitchell S. Claude, and they were united in holy matrimony on July 5, 1955. Katherine always had an incredibly strong work ethic, and she took considerable pride in being a fierce protector and provider for her family. While matriculating through school, she held several jobs including restaurant server, child care provider, nursing assistant, store cashier, and fashion model for Hendins' Boutique. Upon completion of her nursing studies, Katherine embarked upon her lifelong purpose, which was to provide nursing services and comfort care to those in need. Katherine was a proud, healthcare provider and wore her nurse's hat, pin, and uniform with dignity and distinction! She worked in both private and public settings, including the Rosewood State Hospital where she was employed for thirty-eight years and received numerous awards, certificates, pins, and blue ribbons for extraordinary service and patient care. Katherine had a profound love for church and the teachings of Christ. She accepted the Lord as her personal savior at an early age and developed a strong, spiritual foundation by attending the Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Onancock, Virginia. Upon moving to Baltimore, Katherine affiliated with the Bethel Baptist Church, under the spiritual leadership of her cousin and pastor, the late Rev. James S. Wise, which later merged with First Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she remained in good standing for sixty-nine years. Even when recent circumstances prevented her attendance, she remained connected to the workings of FEBC by faithfully tuning into the daily prayer line and Sunday livestreams, and ensuring that her weekly tithes were collected. She was loved by her FEBC family and was affectionately referred to her as Trustee Claude, Ma Kat, Mama Claude, and Kitty Kat. The church was her second home – and there was no task too great or small for Katherine, as she was always willing to do whatever needed to be done. Upon her arrival, every door, room, and system were always inspected, and she was often the first to arrive, and the last to depart every service! Katherine also served in many capacities, including Vice President and Member of the Pastor's Aide Ministry, Member of the Missionary Ministry, Vacation Bible School Volunteer, Pastor's Anniversary Steering Committee Member, Soup Kitchen Volunteer, Willing Worker's Ministry Volunteer, Senior Ministry Member, Church Sexton, and Culinary Team Member. However, Katherine's first love was the FEBC Trustee Board - she took immense pride in being the first female elected to serve in the ministry and extended her dedicated, dependable, and selfless service for more than forty-five years. She also carried the distinction and executed the duties of Church Treasurer for more than twenty-five years. In addition to her nursing interests and church-related activities, Katherine enjoyed connecting with her family and traveled often to Onancock, VA and Philadelphia, PA to visit relatives, especially if they needed care and support. She would frequently open her home to her parents, siblings, and other family members that were recovering from illness or seeking a change in scenery. Katherine enjoyed gardening and using the harvest to cook extremely large meals for family and friends, as well as visiting homebound church members with close friends, Donald Wardell and the late Amelia Mathias. Additionally, she cherished her time spent and precious memories created with cousins and lifelong friends: Esther T. Askins, Loretta Poulson White, and the late Lois Riley Shrieves, Arlene Drummond Kess, and Gloria E. Turlington. Yet, Katherine's greatest love and joy was spending quality time with her daughter and grandson, Rachel and Brandon – she never missed a birthday, graduation, awards competition, field trip, PTA meeting, doctor's visit, or any other special day/occasion! Katherine reminisced often about the humble beginnings of her sharecropping family and reminded others that "it is not how you start the race or where you are during the race but how you cross the finish line that matters!" She now crosses her earthly "finish line" as an amazing, loving, and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, cousin, trustee, friend, and confidant. Katherine lived, loved, and touched an array of individuals – especially those in need of care and support. She placed strong value on the concept of family – and never hesitated to sacrifice her time or resources in support of her daughter, grandson, siblings, parents, nieces/nephews, and close friends. Katherine was always willing to lend a helping hand – her life was not in a vain and is characterized by extraordinary courage and grace. She will be remembered fondly as a woman of resilience, strength, and dignity sent to us by God – a living example of abundant and unselfish sacrifice. Katherine outlived many family members and lifelong friends but leaves the notion of spiritual reconciliation and legacy of affection to her adoring and devoted daughter, Rachel Hall; loving and loyal grandson, Brandon Tilghman; caring brother-in-law, Lonzo Washington; dedicated nieces/nephews, Hayden E. Hall, Elsie Hall, Anthony Hall, Sr., Irene Jones, Lisa Harmon, Charlie Strand, Marsha Tull, Nakisha Strand, Dontray Tull, Willie Williams, Sherina Logan, Tierra Wise, Lamar Wise, Ashley Pettit, and Kesha Pettit; compassionate Godsister, Mary S. White; warmhearted Godchildren, Lynda Ingram, Valerie Wainwright, Phyllis King, Tony McCray, Derrick Parker, and Eugene Belcher; faithful friends, Loretta Poulson White, Esther Askins, Oneeda Wessels, Donald Wardell, Mary Young, Hilda Hamilton, Amelia Davis, Alice Riddick, Linda Brown, Ada Norris, Abraham Peoples, William Kenny Davis, Joyce Jeffreys, Rosemary Pierre, Phyllis Stokes, Melvin Baker, and Paige Baker; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, Doycron neighbors, and FEBC church members. Katherine fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she kept the faith!