Mary E. Brogdon (Aunt Teeney)

My Life, My Legacy, My Story

“To Be Blessed By The Lord, To Have Lived A Full Life Of “86 Years” To Love,

To Laugh & To Enjoy The Happiness Of Family Is Larger Than Life Itself”

Mary Ernestine Brogdon, affectionately known as “Teeney” was born on

August 14, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Thomas Carey, Sr. and

Mary Ellen Carey. She was the last born of nine children. On the morning of

December 7, 2017, God extended his loving hand and peacefully guided

Mary through the pearly gates of heaven where she will have Eternal life in

His kingdom.

Mary accepted Christ at an early age and would attend church with her

parents and siblings as a child. She loved the Lord. She was a God-fearing

woman who read her bible, practiced her faith and loved to worship. On July

25, 1985, she furthered her commitment and dedication to the Lord, and

was baptized at The United Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland under the

leadership of Reverend, G. E. Vanderford. She continued to worship at

United under the ministry and leadership of Dr. Carl J. Solomon, Pastor.

Mary was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. She was a

graduate of the class of 1951 at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in

Baltimore, Maryland. The Home Of The Poets. She successfully completed

the curriculum of Commercial Studies at Dunbar.

On June 13, 1959, Mary married the late Albert W. Brogdon in holy

matrimony and from this union, they were blessed with a devoted, loving

and caring daughter, Karen. She was Mary’s pride, her joy, her heartbeat and

her best friend. The unconditional love and bond between mother-

and-daughter was truly insurmountable. They were inseparable, and Mary

made sure that she instilled in Karen the unselfishness, unconditional love,

warmth, generosity and kindness that one would like to receive in return.

In 1962, Mary became employed at the world renowned Johns Hopkins

University where she worked as a Lab Assistant in the Department of Pediatrics

at the School of Medicine. She was a loyal, friendly, diligent worker who

was loved by her peers in the workplace. After 30 years of dedicated service

and commitment, Mary retired from Johns Hopkins University in 1992.

One of Mary’s most passionate joys in life was entertaining her family and

friends at her home. She not only loved her family tremendously, but she

cherished every single moment that she spent with them. Family members

would come from near and far spending hours and hours together at her

home. Spending time at Mary’s house meant that you were in store for a

celebration. Generations of family members would frequent Mary’s home

where there was always lots of laughter, lots of fun, fellowshipping and joy.

She also enjoyed watching the Soap Operas. Her favorites were: The Young

& The Restless, The Bold & The Beautiful, and General Hospital.

Mary loved dancing and listening to Oldies music. Her favorite artists were

Al Green and The O’Jays. She looked forward to family gatherings such as

birthday celebrations, holiday parties, family reunions, Carey Family

Bring-A-Dish events, and she loved participating in the Carey Family Birthday

Club.

Mary created a beautiful “Family Tradition” where at every family event

everyone would gather together in a circle, hold hands and sing and dance

to her favorite song “Family Reunion” by The O’Jays. A “priceless” moment

for all.

What Defines A Matriarch?

Mary was the “Matriarch” of her family. The leader, the confidant, the

comforter, the protector. She was motherly, she had wit, she embodied

wisdom, she exemplified compassion, she had a sense of humor, she loved

unconditionally, she demonstrated grace, she listened, she gave advice, she

was the

Epitome of Love, Strength and Humility.

“Be Somebody Who Makes Everybody Feel Like A Somebody”

To all those who knew her, Mary’s nurturing embrace, spirit of love, honesty,

warmth, her hugs, her laughter, her kind heart and her smile brought us lots

of joy!

Mary leaves to cherish her precious memory: her son-in-law, Barry Sanders;

one granddaughter, Coquita Sanders; her devoted nieces and caregivers,

Frances Barbour and Francine Richburg; an abundance of dedicated, devoted,

loving and caring nieces, nephews, other relatives, neighbors and friends; and

her two loving goddaughters, Charlene Pinder and Cleopatra “Twain” Mobley.

“My Predecessors To Whom I Will Meet Again”

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Mary Ellen Carey; her

loving daughter, Karen Vanessa Sanders; her dear brother, Thomas Henry Carey,

Jr; her seven sisters, Virginia Lacey, Louise Hebron, Bertha Williams, Bernice

Bryant, Pauline Gaskins, Edith Cabean and Marbell Richburg; and her two best

girlfriends, Mary Parham and Charlotte Bell.

“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody

else you will have succeeded”

~Maya Angelou~