Obituary of Mary Lee Deberry

Mrs. Mary Lee Simon DeBerry, age 87, died on Wednesday Morning, November 4, 2020 after six years at the Ruxton Manor Care Nursing Home in Towson Maryland. For more than 51/2 years John, her brother and primary caregiver, visited her every day to ensure that she was fed and put to bed with love. Even when barred from visiting her due to the pandemic, John drove on Ruxton Parking lot each day and tried to see any recognizable sign of Mary via staff passing by or a peek in her nursing home window. So may John find some comfort in knowing that he witnessed her speak her last words, to the surprise of staff, not to John. During a ZOOM call, days before her death…when John said loudly, Mary, Mary do you hear me, and she said loudly and clearly, YEEESSSS JOHN!! Mary Lee's last words will never be forgotten, especially by John, her devoted brother and daily caregiver, Mary Lee Simon DeBerry was born on January 28, 1933 in Bishopville, South Carolina to the late Henry Simon, Sr. and Olena Thomas Simon. She is survived by her brothers: Henry Simon, Jr. and John E. Simon and her sister-n-laws Betsy Dinkins Simon and Evelyn Dixon-Simon all residents of Baltimore City. A host of other relatives resides in Washington DC, Philadelphia, PA, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York City and throughout the country who can't share in her Homecoming Services due to the Pandemic. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mark DeBerry. Mary, a very popular young lady, attended Dennis High School in Bishopville and was known for her academic and basketball skills. Mary Lee had a great love for her family, children, those she cared for and her special pets. She enjoyed fishing with her youngest brother and soul mate, John, gardening in her back yard, shopping for deals and redecorating her home. Her life with Christ began at Mt. Herman Missionary Baptist Church in Bishopville, SC and continued after coming to Baltimore. Her last church home before her illness was The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Baltimore County. She was a health care worker for years in Baltimore City and New York City. Her first health care position was at House in the Pines in Baltimore City and her last 31 years of employment was spent at Johns Hopkins Hospital where she consistently was honored with Service Awards. She gave excellent care to all her patients even if she had to stay on her own time to make them comfortable. Her work ethic and service to her patients were impeccable, so sad that she didn't receive the same care after John could no longer visit her at Nursing Home daily. In recognition of the Critical times we are experiencing during the COVID-19 Pandemic, we will honor her Transition from this Earthly Home to Her Final Resting Place in Heaven on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 following CDC guidelines. We appreciate your prayers as we attend her Homegoing Service at Vaughn Green Funeral Home, then leaving her in the Perpetual Care of the Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, Maryland.