Ruth O'dessa Dangerfield, fondly known as "Dessa," daughter of the

late Beverly and Ella Richard Kelly, was born on March 23, 1918 in Baltimore, MD.

She departed this life and transitioned peacefully with the Lord on March 14, 2017

at 9:33 p.m. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be

present with the Lord". — 2 Corinthians 5:8

At an early age, Dessa joined The First Baptist Church of Baltimore, MD, where she

later accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savoir. Dessa was a faithful member until

she became ill. She always attended Sunday school with Denise.

She met and married Earl Dangerfield. From this union they had one son, the late

Lloyd Dangerfield.

Dessa received her education from Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dessa was an employee of the London Fog Factory, where she worked as a seamstress.

She later became an employee of The Baltimore City Public School Systems

as an Environmental Technician for many years. She served as an Election Judge for

Baltimore City. After she retired, from Baltimore City Public School Systems, Dessa

was employed part time at the Waxter Center; a program called "Eating Together".

Dessa was also a dedicated volunteer to what is now known as "The Safe Haven", an

organization focused on the health and safety of woman and children in her home.

She loved children and was always ready to help out in any way she could. Everyone

knew 1116 N. Eden Street, the home of Grandma, Hilda and Dessa. This Safe Haven

was always open to everyone in the community, with love, shelter, advice and a

good meal for anyone in need. Dessa served as a Day Care provider for children and

initiated the "The clean plate club", to encourage the children to eat all their food.

Dessa was involved in community meetings, educating others and providing updated

news and events. She was a lover of jazz and traveled to several venues to sponsor

the local artists. Her son, the late Lloyd Dangerfield, was also a well known musician.

He played the drums. Dessa frequently visited the historic Lexington Market where

she would be with her friends known as the "Whistling Queens of Baltimore." Dessa

was a very loving, generous and caring mother, aunt, sister and friend to those who

knew her. Dessa was blessed to have a dedicated loving and caring niece, Denise

(Necey), who became her care provider for over 10 years, until she was not able to

do so. When you saw Dessa, you saw Denise. They were bosom buddies.

Preceding her in death are: her father, Beverly Richard and mother, Ella Richard Kelly;

brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Elise Richard; sister, Hilda Richard; nephews,

Harold (Cuzzy), Richard, Andre and Kevin Richard and niece, Darnella Richard.

She leaves to cherish her memory: a brother, Lawrence Carter (Sally); nephew, Harold

Williams; nieces, Minetta James (Charles), Brenda Johnson (Marvin), Tavon Richard-

Laird (Ragarick), Charmel Richard and Kecia Scott, (Shawn); great-nephews, Harold

Richard Jr., Rodney Williams, Charles (Chucky), James III, Tyus Johnson, Keyon

Johnson, Harold Richard III and Antonio and Aaron Fields; great-nieces, Elder Deborah

Richard, Denise Richard, Renee Richard (Tony), Charon James-Gardner (Michael) and

Eltwana Richard; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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