Obituaries from Gazette.net, November 2002: Montgomery Co., MD Permission has generously been granted by Gazette.net to include these obituaries in the MDGenWeb Archives. This publication is available on-line at http://www.gazette.net. *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** *****Nov. 6, 2002***** Keith Allen Hicks Keith Allen Hicks, 47, of Rockville died Nov. 3. He is survived by five sisters, Kim Hicks and husband Jim McGlaughlin, Maureen Hicks, Wendy Young, Kathy Dahdah and Barbara Gibson; and three nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Nov. 9 at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, New Hampshire and Georgia avenues in Sunshine. Friends and family will gather at 3 p.m. and the memorial service will begin at 4 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Wildlife Center, 7101 Barcellona Drive, Gaithersburg, Md. 20879, or the National Capitol Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. 20814. Herbert William Norwood Herbert William Norwood, 69, of Gaithersburg died Oct. 29 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. Mr. Norwood was born Jan. 23, 1933, in Rockville, the son of Herbert L. Norwood of Easton and the late Nona R. Norwood. He is the brother of John Thomas Norwood of Easton and the late Jane Price. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home, 300 West Montgomery Ave. in Rockville. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery Hospice Society, 1450 Research Blvd., Suite 310, Rockville, Md. 20850. Robert L. Van Arsdell Robert L. Van Arsdell of Rockville, 80, died Oct. 21. He was the husband of the late Beatrice E. Van Arsdell and father of Nancy Van Arsdell, Donna Whitmore and Carol Peterson. He was the brother of Samuel Van Arsdell and Jean Osterman, and grandfather of two and step-grandfather of one. Funeral services were held Oct. 26 and burial was at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick. Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home in Rockville handled the arrangements. David M. Melnick David M. Melnick, 54, of Rockville died of a brain aneurysm on Oct. 13. A Pennsylvania native and attorney, Mr. Melnick was a 1975 graduate of the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University. He served in the U.S. Department of Labor as senior counsel in the Office of the Solicitor. For the past 14 years he was in private practice, specializing in employment law. He was admitted to practice in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania. Mr. Melnick was an active member of the Montgomery County Bar Association and the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association. He was a former chairman of the Rockville Board of Appeals, a member of the Rockville Planning Commission and former president of the New Mark Commons Homes Association. He also participated in local civic affairs and volunteer programs, including human rights, animal rights and wildlife preservation. Survivors include his wife, Natalie Nelson Melnick of Rockville; two brothers, Gary Melnick of Denver, Colo., and Robert Melnick of Roswell, Ga.; and four nephews and one niece. William Gordon Jr. William "Bill" Gordon, 80, of Rockville passed away peacefully on Sept. 21 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was born in Raleigh, N.C., on May 31,1922, to the late William Sr. and Anne Gordon. He was the husband of Edithe Gordon, affectionately known as "Lady G," for the past 56 years. Mr. Gordon earned his bachelor of science degree from St. Augustine University in Raleigh and his master of education degree from American University. He was a veteran of World War II, achieving the rank of staff sergeant and serving in North Africa and Italy before being honorably discharged. He went on to teach and coach for three decades in West Palm Beach, Fla,. and Montgomery County. He taught at the former Lincoln High School and the former Carver High School and Junior College, as well as Julius West and Takoma Park junior high schools. Mr. Gordon was an avid photographer and sports fan as well as a talented artist. In his youth he was a gifted student and an accomplished athlete. As a boy scout he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His favorite pastimes were playing golf and listening to jazz music. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Billy, of Olney; three daughters, Laurita Corde of Germantown, Teena Maria of Germantown, and Donna of Anchorage, Alaska; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sept. 28 at Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville. He was buried with military honors at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville. Arrangements were made by Snowden's Funeral Home in Rockville. Doris T. Young Doris Thelma Young, 79, of Germantown, died Nov. 1 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville. She was the wife of Ralph D. Young for 60 years. Born Nov. 24, 1922, in Germantown, she was a daughter of the late Zechariah Thomas and Eleanor Power Briggs. Mrs. Young was retired from Gaithersburg Junior High School, where she was a cafeteria cook. She loved nature and living things and expressed this through her care of birds, deer and wild creatures that took refuge at her home. In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children, Barbara Marchetti of Burtonsville, Carol Thompson of Germantown, Ruth Joel of Washington, D.C., and Norma Sue Williams of Laurel; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Young was preceded in death by her son, Ralph D. Young Jr., sister Irene Mills, brothers Raymond, Carlton, Harry, Leslie, Wilbur, Douglas and Norman Briggs, and an infant sister. Funeral services were held Tuesday. Burial was in Damascus Methodist Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814. Frederick B. Burbank Frederick Baker Burbank, 96, of Germantown, formerly of Gaithersburg, died Oct. 30 of congestive heart failure at Rockville Nursing Home. Born Jan. 24, 1906, in Perth Amboy, N.J., Mr. Burbank earned his bachelor's degree and a master's degree in physical education from Springfield College in Massachusetts. He worked as a coach at the New Jersey School for the Deaf for 15 years and was director of the USO clubs for 25 years. He retired from the Armed Services YMCA in 1971. Mr. Burbank was a member of the Gaithersburg Lions Club, Gaithersburg Senior Citizens and the Montgomery Village YMCA. He was also the past president of two Lions Clubs in Florida -- Ft. Walton Beach and Key West. Mr. Burbank is survived by one daughter, Vivian C. Hensley and her husband, Rhett, of Germantown; and one granddaughter and one grandson. Funeral services were private. Nancy B. Wigle Mrs. Nancy B. Wigle, 68, of Hagerstown, formerly of Gaithersburg, died Nov. 1, 2002, at The Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown. Born Nov. 14, 1933, in Gaithersburg, she was a daughter of the late Lilbern William and Mary Louise Frye Demory. She was the wife of Daryl L. Wigle. Mrs. Wigle was a graduate of the Gaithersburg High School class of 1951. She had worked as a clerk-typist for the Fourth Region Civil Service in Washington, D.C., and later retired from the National Institutes of Health in 1995 as an office manager. Mrs. Wigle was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg and also attended Church of the Nazarene in Gaithersburg. Besides her husband, Mrs. Wigle is survived by three sons, Michael B. Wigle of Middletown, Jeffrey Scott Wigle Sr. of Gaithersburg and Gregory C. A. Wigle of Frederick; six sisters, Phyllis J. Wayne of Colorado, Thelma J. Vangilder of Gaithersburg, Patricia L. Snouffer of Gaithersburg, Kay M. Snouffer of Woodfield, Mary L. Bernatz of Woodfield and Perla G. Pardini of Damascus; four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Friends may visit 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Grace United Methodist Church, 119 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, where friends may visit from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in Lovettsville Union Cemetery, Lovettsville, Va. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were made by the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home. Barbara N. Beard Barbara "Polly" Norman Beard, 69, of Owings, Md., and longtime resident of Damascus, died Oct. 31 at Calvert Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Robert Parker Beard for 47 years. Born March 16, 1933, in Purcellville, Va., she was the daughter of the late Andrew C. and Agnes H. Norman. Mrs. Beard retired in 1982 from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in Bethesda, where she was a supervisor of the Publications and Dues department. She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Germantown. She was also a member of the Pleasant Plains of Damascus Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. Survivors include three children, Robert P. Beard Jr., Barbara J. Butler and Donald N. Beard; one brother, Donald H. Norman of Vienna, Va.; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Cathy L. Martin and one sister, Anne C. Norman. A memorial service was held Sunday. Burial was private. Friends are welcome to visit the Lee Funeral Home Web site at www.leefuneralhomes.com to sign Ms. Beard's memorial register book under the obituary section. *****Nov. 13, 2002***** Michael A. Opdenaker Michael Albert Opdenaker, 22, of Germantown, died Nov. 9 at home. Born Feb. 8, 1980, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Albert Opdenaker and the late Barbara Opdenaker. He was a graduate of Seneca Valley High School. Survivors include his father and one sister, Christine Opdenaker, both of Maryland; two uncles, one aunt and two grandmothers, all of New Jersey. Friends may call at DeVol Funeral Home, 10 E. Deer Park Ave., Gaithersburg, on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at Mother Seton Catholic Church, 19551 Father Hurley Blvd., Germantown. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Earl O. Butt Earl O. Butt, 83, of Williamsfield, Ohio, formerly of Gaithersburg, died Nov. 6 at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. He was born July 13, 1919, in Potomac, the son of the late Luther O. Butt and Eva Daughton Butt. He was employed as a psychiatric charge nurse for Chestnut Lodge Psychiatric Facility in Rockville for more than 40 years. While living in Wayne Township, Ohio, Mr. Butt served as caretaker for the Town Hall for a number of years. Mr. Butt married his wife, Jane Matticks Butt Oct. 25, 1958. He is preceded in death by four brothers, including his twin Luther, Kenneth, Perry and Dickerson Butt. Besides his wife, Mr. Butt is survived by two daughters, Carol E. Ellis of Germantown and Diane Kirby of Martinsburg, W.Va.; two sisters, Katherine Foster of Stephens City, Va., and Violet Taylor of Damascus; and one granddaughter. Funeral services were held Saturday at Baumgardner Funeral Home, Kinsman, Ohio. Cremation followed the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic, 9775 Rockside Road, Suite 200, Cleveland, Ohio 44125. Theda L. Smith Theda Lucille James Smith, 84, of Berne Village, N.C., formerly of Cherokee County, Kan., died Nov. 8. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Methodist Women's Circle, and her hobbies included music, bowling and needlepoint. Survivors include two daughters, Sharon K. Wallace, of New Bern, N.C., and Deanne D. Jennings of Beallsville, Md.; two sons, Stephen L. Smith of Wichita, Kan., and Richard E. Smith of Fredericksburg, Va.; one brother, Maurice J. Smith of Wichita, Kan.; and three grandchildren. Funeral services were held Monday at Pollock-Best Chapel, New Bern, N.C. Burial is today at 3 p.m. at the Gardens of Memory in Wichita, Kan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Association, 400 Oberline Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27605-1351. Edward A. Cooke Edward Andrews Cooke, 81, died Nov. 3, 2002, at his Gaithersburg home of complications from many strokes over the past years. Mr. Cooke was born in Washington, D.C., and was a resident of the Washington area most of his life. He had lived in Silver Spring from 1958 to about 1990 when he moved to Gaithersburg. His wife of 48 years, Charlotte Hancock Cooke, died in 1996. Mr. Cooke graduated in 1939 from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Washington D.C. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He served in France and was a part of the occupation forces when Germany surrendered in May 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Mr. Cooke graduated in 1949 from George Washington University. He joined the Army reserves. He received the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Award in October 1974. Mr. Cooke retired from the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. He was an adjuster with Motors Insurance Corp., the insurance division of General Motors from 1949-58. In 1958, he joined Palmer Insurance Agency, Inc., in Silver Spring. He founded in 1964 the Cooke Insurance Agency, which he operated with his wife. In 1979, Mr. Cooke was named Agent of the Year Independent Insurance Agents of Montgomery Prince George's. Mr. Cooke was a member of Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department from 1947-53. He joined the Silver Spring VFD in 1958. He served for many years on the board of directors, holding the office of president from 1961-66. He was indicted to the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Association Hall of Fame in1984. Civic organizations he participated in include, Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce; Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce; Silver Spring Rotary Club. Mr. Cooke was a member of Derwood Bible Church and a former member of Knox Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Silver Spring. In June 1981, Mr. Cooke received the Governor's Citation for outstanding contributions in the fire service. Mr. Cooke is survived by his four children, Nancy Keegan of Washington, D.C., Robert Cooke of Gaithersburg, Virginia Stone of Laurel and Thomas Cooke of Damascus; and eight grandchildren. A memorial service was held Nov. 10 at Knox Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Silver Spring. Mr. Cooke will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at 3 p.m. Dec. 2. Arrangements by DeVol Funeral Home, Gaithersburg. Cecile R. Cunningham Cecile R. Cunningham, 81, of Montgomery Village, formerly of Wheaton, died Nov. 1, 2002. Born Nov. 26, 1920, and raised in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Cunningham lived in Wheaton with her husband Max for several years. She was active in the then-new parish of St. Catherine Laboure, where she was a co-founder of the Sodality and the Leisure Club. The Cunninghams were among the original owners in Phase I of the Courts of Whetstone in Montgomery Village. Mrs. Cunningham was active in the parishes of St. Martin, St. Francis of Assisi and St. John Neumann. She served at St. Martin's soup kitchen and drove for Meals on Wheels. She was preceded in death by her husband J. Maxson Cunningham Jr. She is survived by her children, Audrey Koinig and Tina, Jay, and Keith Cunningham; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Arrangements were provided by Collins Funeral Home, Silver Spring. Dorothy H. Green Edward G. Rodrick Edward Gerard Rodrick, 59, of Gaithersburg, died Nov. 4, 2002. He was born Dec. 27, 1942, in Jersey City, N.J., and graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He was a Licensed Professional Engineer, ASQC Certified, and worked as a senior reliability engineer at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He is survived by his daughter, Renee Harper of Westwood, N.J.; a son, Edward Rodrick Jr. of Massachusetts; one sister, Margaret Dorso of Medine, Ohio; four brothers, Joseph of Spring Lake Heights, N.J., Norman of Breck, N.J., Robert of Redington, N.J., and Richard of Frankville, Wisc.; and four grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology -- Pancreatic Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Room 2242, The Weinberg Building, 401 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231. Pearl F. Sofaly Pearl Federline Sofaly, 86, died Nov. 5 at Asbury Village, Gaithersburg. She was the wife of the late James A. Federline Sr. for 32 years, and later James G. Sofaly for 20 years. Mrs. Sofaly was born in Oklahoma in 1916. She moved to Maryland with her late brother, Allie Messer, as a young orphaned child, and lived her life in the Gaithersburg area. She was a graduate of Richard Montgomery High School, where she served as president of the Junior Republic. Mrs. Sofaly was a community volunteer, assisting both her husbands as Lion's Club presidents, and serving in the Lioness Club for many years. She was also a volunteer at St. Martin's Church in Gaithersburg. Besides her husband, Mrs. Sofaly is survived by three children, Beverly Gleba and her husband, Paul of Southport, Conn., Stephen Federline and his wife, Loretta, of Columbia, and Leonard Federline of Bradford, Vt.; a sister, Callie Burns of Kendrick, Okla.; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two children, James A. Federline Jr. and Richard Federline. Funeral services were held Saturday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Gaithersburg. Burial was at Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville. Philip Harry Byerly Philip Harry Byerly, 100, longtime resident of Falls Church, Va., died Oct. 10. He was the husband of the late Beatrice (Peeky) Byerly. He was born Sept. 20, 1902, in Johnstown, Ohio. He was a lifetime member and former executive secretary of Sons of the American Revolution, the French Huguenot Society of Washington, D.C., the Professional Engineering Society and the Engineering Center at Fort Belvoir, Va. He is survived by a cousin, William C. Birely, a resident of Ashton, former national trustee of the Sons of the American Revolution and also a former vice president of the Huguenot Society. A number of cousins also survive in Ohio. Funeral services were held Oct. 15 at Murphy's Falls Church Funeral Home. Burial followed at the Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church. Keith Allen Hicks Keith Allen Hicks, 47, of Rockville died Nov. 3. He is survived by five sisters, Kim Hicks and husband Jim McGlaughlin, Maureen Hicks, Wendy Young, Kathy Dahdah and Barbara Gibson; and three nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held Nov. 9 at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church in Sunshine. William Gordon Jr. William "Bill" Gordon, 80, of Rockville passed away peacefully on Sept. 21 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was born in Raleigh, N.C., on May 31,1922, to the late William Sr. and Anne Gordon. He was the husband of Edithe Gordon, affectionately known as "Lady G," for the past 56 years. Mr. Gordon earned his bachelor of science degree from St. Augustine University in Raleigh and his master of education degree from American University. He was a veteran of World War II, achieving the rank of staff sergeant and serving in North Africa and Italy before being honorably discharged. He went on to teach and coach for three decades in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Montgomery County. He taught at the former Lincoln High School and the former Carver High School and Junior College, as well as Julius West and Takoma Park junior high schools. Mr. Gordon was an avid photographer and sports fan as well as a talented artist. In his youth he was a gifted student and an accomplished athlete. As a boy scout he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His favorite pastimes were playing golf and listening to jazz music. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Billy, of Olney; three daughters, Laurita Corde of Germantown, Teena Maria of Germantown, and Donna of Anchorage, Alaska; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sept. 28 at Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville. He was buried with military honors at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville. Arrangements were handled by Snowden's Funeral Home in Rockville. Viola E. Walker Viola E. Walker, 89, of Easton, formerly of Rockville, died Oct. 26 at Easton Nursing Center. She was born March 9, 1913, in Charleston, S.C., and was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Spencer. Her husband, John, died in 1968. She was a housewife. She is survived by a son, John, in Maryland; three daughters, Diane and Christine, both in Maryland, and Geraldine Reed in Phillipsburg, N.J.; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, grand- nieces and grand-nephews. Twelve sisters and one brother died previously. Funeral services will be private. The Doyle-Devlin Funeral Home in Phillipsburg handled the arrangements. *****Nov. 20, 2002***** Henry Frederick Vicinus Henry Frederick Vicinus, 92, of Bethesda, died Oct. 31 at Manor Care Potomac, following an extended illness. Born on Oct. 24, 1910, in Minotola, N.J., he was the son of the late Aaron and Luella Perry Vicinus. He was the husband of Esmeralda Vicinus, his wife of 23 years. He was a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in journalism. He began his journalistic career with the Ocean City, N.J., Gazette and later reported on and traveled widely in Latin America for United Press during World War II. He retired from the United States Information Agency in 1975 after working there for 33 years. His last position was assistant chief of the Latin American Branch. Following retirement he worked as a home caregiver for "Over 60" in Bethesda. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Medical Department at Fort Davis in the Canal Zone. He was a member of Presbyterian Churches in the Washington, D.C. area for 56 years. The last was El Buen Pastor in Washington, D.C. His first wife, Lois Gray Vicinus, to whom he was married for 35 years, preceded him in death in 1978. He was also preceded in death by his brother and sister, Daniel and Mary Vicinus. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mary Kamien and her husband, Christopher, of Gaithersburg, and Margaret Brown and her husband, Benjamin, of Westminster; and a grandson and a granddaughter. Private funeral services were held Nov. 9 in Westminster. Theresa Nell Olson Theresa Nell Persico Olson, 76, of North Bethesda, a research editor, died of complications from ovarian cancer Nov. 15 at Casey House in Rockville. Mrs. Olson was born and raised in Richmond, Calif. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley. After graduating from the university, she worked for Pacific Bell in San Francisco. In June 1950, she married R. Craig Olson, a U.S. naval officer. They lived in California, Connecticut, and Virginia before settling in Maryland in 1964. Along with her editorial work, Mrs. Olson was active in various organizations including the Girl Scouts of America, Naval Officers' Wives Club, Navy Aquatics Group, Navy Arthritis Support Group, the Woodhaven and Luxmanor Garden Clubs, Luxmanor Citizen Association, Hungerford Tavern of the DAR, Luxmanor Greensheet, and Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Marta Olson Fitzgerald of Arnold, Md., Lisa C. Olson-Rankin of Columbia, and Karen Aileen Olson of New York; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 11200 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, at 11 a.m. Saturday with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, 910 17th St., N.W., Suite 413, Washington, D.C. 20006. R. Richard Howard Mr. Ralph Richard Howard, 62, formerly of Gaithersburg, died Nov. 17, 2002, at College View Nursing Home in Frederick. Born Nov. 6, 1940, in Olney, he was a son of the late Ralph and Marjorie Thompson Howard. Mr. Howard was a 1958 graduate of Damascus High School. Before retirement, he worked as a heating and air conditioning mechanic. Mr. Howard is survived by three children, Sandra H. Crowe of Harpers Ferry, W. Va., Wendy Howard of Oakland and Amanda H. Lowery of Smithsburg; one sister, Annette Dayhoff of Mt. Airy; and five grandsons. Graveside services and burial will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Damascus Methodist Cemetery, Woodfield Road and Main Street, Damascus. The Rev. Franklin Bishop will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. Arrangements were made by the Olin L. Molesworth P.A. Funeral Home, Damascus. Henry F. Johnson Mr. Henry Foster Johnson, 56, of Columbia, S.C., formerly of Gaithersburg, died Nov. 9, 2002, after a two-year battle with cancer. Born Jan. 28, 1946, in Washington, D.C., he was a son of Rosa G.C. Johnson and the late Henry B. Johnson. Mr. Johnson graduated from Gaithersburg High School. He worked at the Naval Medical Center and owned a gardening and landscaping business. He met and married Dorothy Goodson and relocated to Columbia, S.C. At the time of his death he worked at Fort Jackson Army Base as a landscaper. Besides his wife and mother, Mr. Johnson is survived by six children, Kimberly Johnson of Atlanta, Ga., Darren Johnson, Anthony Johnson, Kortni Johnson, all of Gaithersburg, Alyshia Maith of Virginia and Michelle Winslow of Shreveport, La.; three brothers, Richard Johnson, Michael Johnson, and Robert K. Johnson, all of Gaithersburg; one sister, Shirley J. Jackson of Atlanta, Ga.; one uncle, Julius West; three aunts, Pricilla Dames of Bridgeport, Conn., Bettie West of Washington, D.C., Shirley West of Capital Heights; two sisters-in-law, six grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, George A. Johnson. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Upper County Community Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Burial was in Greenlawn Memorial Park Serenity Gardens, Columbia, S.C. Arrangements were made by J.P. Holley Funeral Home, Columbia, S.C. Alby C. Embrey Alby C. Embrey, 73, of Rockville died Nov. 13 at Casey House in Rockville. Born April 9, 1929, in Rockville, he was a son of the late Rosier and Maggie Gray Embrey. He was the husband of Marie C. Embrey. Mr. Embrey attended Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a Redskins fan, and enjoyed fishing, golf and wrestling. He was also devoted to his family and especially his grandchildren. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Bonnie K. Kitchen of Myersville; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; five sisters, Bessie Moore of Forestville, Venious Fowler of Adamstown, Mabel Dove of Frederick, Pearl Cavender of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and Ruby Rogers of Rockville; and one brother, Wallace Embrey of Monrovia. A daughter, Sharon Wells, and three brothers, Paul, Irving and Warne Embrey, predeceased him. Funeral services were held Nov. 19 at Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. Burial was at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville. Susan L. Perrine Susan L. Perrine, 56, of Rockville died at her residence on Nov. 12. She was the wife of Philip Perrine. She is survived by a son, Nicholas, and wife Melissa; a daughter, Victoria; one granddaughter; a sister, Janet Weisheyer, and husband Richard; a stepmother, Elvera Trost; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Nov. 16 at Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309. *****Nov. 26, 2002***** Mildred Marie Burdette Mrs. Mildred M. Burdette, 91, of Dickerson, formerly of Darnestown, died Nov. 21, 2002, at her residence. She was the wife of the late Melvin R. Burdette Sr. who died in 1966. Mr. and Mrs. Burdette were married March 14, 1927. Born Dec. 31, 1910, in Damascus, she was the daughter of the late Jessee Clarence and Olive M. Cromwell Covell. Mrs. Burdette is survived by six children, Melvin Burdette Jr. of Virginia, Maynard Burdette Sr. and his wife, Shirley, of Boyds, Donald Burdette Sr. and his wife, Ann, of Virginia, Wayne Burdette and his wife, Ginnie, of Dickerson, Larry Burdette Sr. and his wife, Lisa, of Jefferson, Geraldine Boswell and her husband, James, of Gaithersburg; one daughter-in-law, Louise Burdette of Brunswick; 21 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; and six great great grandchildren. Mrs. Burdette was preceded in death by one son, David Burdette Sr. and all of her brothers and sisters, Clarence, Merhl and Charles Covell, Maude Castle, Annie Stull and Mary Freed. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Hilton Funeral Home, 22111 Beallsville Road, Barnesville. The Rev. Ronald Lee of the Princess Anne Plaza Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Va., officiated. Burial was in Hyattstown United Methodist Church Cemetery, Hyattstown. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, Md. 21702. Ruth Weeks Worley Ruth Weeks Worley, 83, formerly of Vero Beach, Fla., and Gaithersburg, died at Westport Convalescent Center Nov. 20. She was born Feb. 1, 1919, in Moselle, Miss., to the late Bernard Glasgow and Esther Penina Anderson Weeks. She was the valedictorian of her high school class in 1936 in Port Neches, Texas, and went on scholarship to Louisiana State University majoring in math. On Nov. 21, 1942, she married Richard Bryce Worley, in Falls Church, Va. During World War II she worked for the Department of the Navy. Ruth and Bryce settled in the Washington, D.C., area and Mrs. Worley devoted her life to raising a family and being active in her church. In Maryland, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg and in Florida, First Baptist Church of Delray Beach and First Baptist Church of Vero Beach. She was recently a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Aylett, Va. Mrs. Worley is survived by her husband of 60 years, Richard Bryce Worley; two sons, Richard and his wife, Thelma, and Robert and his wife, Dawn; two daughters, Linda Fulks, and her husband, John, and Barbara Worley and her husband, Jim Abeles; 10 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Alfred and Leo Weeks; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Worley was preceded in death by five brothers, Benton, Howard, Terrell, Orie and B.G. Weeks; and a sister, Inez Bradley. Funeral services were held Sunday at Beulah Baptist Church, Aylett, Va. A graveside service was held Monday at Parklawn Memorial Park, Rockville. Memorial donations may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, 1594 Mitchell's Mill Road, Aylett, Va. 23009. Luanne Harden Hurst Luanne Harden Hurst, 66, of Farragut, Tenn., formerly of Rockville, passed away Nov. 19 at Park West Hospital. Mrs. Hurst was born Dec. 5, 1935, in Watkinsville, Ga., to Bernard Amrey Harden Sr. and Carolyn Biggers Harden, who preceded her in death. She lived in Rockville until 1988 and was the former director of the Montgomery College Child Care Center. She was a member of Concord United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Georgia State College for Women and received her master's degree from the University of Tennessee. Mrs. Hurst was an avid gardener who loved flowers, a member of the Friends of the Garden, a knowledgeable bird watcher, and loved to hike and travel. Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Joe F. Hurst; daughters and sons- in-law, Lynne and Walter Cowart and Hope and Pete Salocks, all of Knoxville, and Rhoda and Will Rahn of Gainesville, Va.; four grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Erma Jean and Dr. Leonard Parks of Clemson, S.C., and Mary Carolyn Harden of Ormond Beach, Fla.; brother and sister-in-law, Amrey and Dr. Debra Harden of Watkinsville, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. Alby C. Embrey Alby C. Embrey, 73, of Rockville died Nov. 13 at Casey House in Rockville. Born April 9, 1929, in Rockville, he was a son of the late Rosier and Maggie Gray Embrey. He was the husband of Marie C. Embrey. Mr. Embrey attended Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a Redskins fan, and enjoyed fishing, golf and wrestling. He was also devoted to his family and especially his grandchildren. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Bonnie K. Kitchen of Myersville; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; five sisters, Bessie Moore of Forestville, Venious Fowler of Adamstown, Mabel Dove of Frederick, Pearl Cavender of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and Ruby Rogers of Rockville; and one brother, Wallace Embrey of Monrovia. A daughter, Sharon Wells, and three brothers, Paul, Irving and Warne Embrey, predeceased him. Funeral services were held Nov. 19 at Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. Burial was at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville. Susan L. Perrine Susan L. Perrine, 56, of Rockville died at her residence on Nov. 12. She was the wife of Philip Perrine. She is survived by a son, Nicholas, and wife Melissa; a daughter, Victoria; one granddaughter; a sister, Janet Weisheyer, and husband Richard; a stepmother, Elvera Trost; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Nov. 16 at Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309. Carlton L. Myers Carlton L. Myers, 87, of Silver Spring, died Nov. 19, 2002, at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. He was a retired inspector and master plumber for the District of Columbia government. Born Jan. 25, 1915 in Middletown, Md., he was a son of the late Paul and Lillian Sponseller Myers. He was the husband of Nancy J. Myers. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, William P. Myers of Monrovia, James A. Myers of Boyds and Steven R. Myers of Silver Spring; and a granddaughter, Dawn Mills of Boyds. He is survived by five stepchildren, six step-grandchildren, four great- grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. A service will be held 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Oak Chapel United Methodist Church, 14500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund. Arrangements will be provided by Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, Laytonsville.