We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Robert Lee Walker

BERLIN – Robert Lee Walker, Jr., 45, of Berlin, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Walker was born July 20, 1961 in Baltimore, son of Robert and Dolores Walker of Ocean City. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1979. After attending Salisbury University, he became a Master Plumber and was employed by his family’s business, Walker Plumbing in Ocean City. He was a member of Stevenson United Methodist Church, Berlin Lions Club, and Promise Keepers.

Over the years, he played in several softball and bowling leagues. He coached Berlin Little League for many years as well as Worcester County Pony Tail Softball and Worcester County Soccer. He was always available to assist his wife in coaching indoor and summer league field hockey for Stephen Decatur High School. He was happiest when he was spending time with his family. He could always be seen at Lindsay and Caitlin’s sporting events or chaperoning a school trip whenever possible. He also enjoyed fishing and relaxing on the beach.

He will be dearly missed by his family as well as many friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Alvin and Ethel Unger. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 23 years, Terry Wyatt Walker and their daughters, Lindsay Marie and Caitlin Jane; his brother, Michael Walker of Lewes, Del., his wife Sandi and their sons Steven and Bradley; a special aunt and uncle, Nancy and Sandy Ledger, of Thurmont, Md.; parents-in-law, Ed and Jane Wyatt of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; sister-in-law, Susan Lee of Lewes, Del., her husband, Michael and their children Brian and Samantha; and brother-in-law, Tim Wyatt of Grasonville, Md., his wife Marie and their sons Tyler and Andrew.

A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Stevenson United Methodist Church in Berlin. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 Main St., Berlin, Md. 21811 or Berlin Lions Club, PO Box 213, Berlin, Md. 21811. Arrangements are being handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

 Ann Belfield Bartlett

BERLIN – Ann Belfield Bartlett, age 80, died Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Washington, D.C. she was the daughter of the late Richard Alexander Belfield and Rosa Reed Belfield.

Bartlett retired from the federal government after 30 years of service. She was an avid Redskins fan, loved the slots and reading. She is survived by her husband, George Bartlett; a daughter, Sandra Berry, and her husband Darold of Bishopville; a sister, Jean Hibble; and one grandchild, Traci Hines.

Service and interment will be private. Arrangements are by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

 Mary Agnes Gary

BERLIN – Mary Agnes Gary, age 102, died on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at Atlantic General Hospital.

Born in Baltimore, she was the beloved wife of the late Thomas Charles Gary also of Baltimore. She was the devoted mother of Charles Thomas Gary and his wife, the late Marie Theresa of Lewes, Del; A. Patricia Kratz and her husband, J. Thomas of Ocean Pines; Mary Kathleen Prickett and her husband, Frederick G. of Virginia Beach; adored grandmother of Timothy M. Gary, Stuart T. Gary, David P. Gary, Jeffrey T. Kratz, Tracey P. Roberts, Steven F. Kratz, Dennis P. Kratz, Gary W. Kratz, Kelly K. White, Michael F. Prickett, Molly P. Hobbs, and Andrew G. Prickett; great grandmother of Brittany Gary, Jonathan, Caitlin and Alexander Kratz, Jackson Roberts, Brian and Stephanie Kratz, Jessica, Meagan, Kyle, Christen, and Rebecca Kratz, Emily, Joseph and Thomas White, Madeline and Joseph Hobbs; loving sister of Catherine Boyle; and predeceased by brothers Thomas Feeze and John Freeze and sister Margaret Hobbs. Also survived by nieces, nephews and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, where friends and family may visit from 11-12 pm at St. John Neuman Catholic Church in Ocean Pines. Where a funeral service will begin at noon.

Interment will be held on Saturday at Woodlawn Cemetery in Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Joseph Michael White, Team Ambassador, Maryland Chapter, 200 East Joppa Rd, Suite 105, Towson, Md. 21286 or at their website [email protected]. Information and services provided by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

 Craig W. Smack, Sr.

BERLIN – Craig W. Smack, Sr., "Rope-a-Dope," 51, died Friday evening, July 13, 2007, at his home in Berlin.

Born in Salisbury, he was the son of Anna Smack of Berlin and the late Clayton Purnell.

He was a 1974 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, where he was a member of their basketball team. He was employed for several years with John Donaway Furniture Store of Berlin and was formerly employed with Hooper’s Crab House in Ocean City.

He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Berlin and transferred his membership to Trinity Holiness Church in Frankford. He was also a former member of Lincoln Lodge 53, F&AM, PHA of Berlin.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 19 years, Pamela Oliver Smack of Berlin; four children, Tyrell H. Oliver, Kendra E. Smack, Tavare J. Oliver and Craig Smack Jr., all of Berlin; four grandchildren; one sister, Tommy Bryant of Pocomoke City; one aunt, Carrie Smack of Berlin; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews.

Services were held.

 Joanne Swearingen-Packard

BERLIN – Joanne Swearing-en-Packard passed away Sunday, July 15, 2007, at home after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Born in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Evelyn Woodside.

She attended Bethesda Chevy Chase High School and majored in Fine Arts at the University of Maryland and Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla.

Swearingen-Packard retired from U.S. government service and had lived in Ocean Pines for the past four years. She was an accomplished watercolor artist, a member of the Chestertown Arts League, the Fort Myers Beach Art Association, a member of the Art Collection of Oxford, Md., and an active member of the Humane Society.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Packard of Centerville, Md.; a brother, Michael Woodside of Jamestown, R.I.; three sons, Raymond and Daniel Swearingen of Ocean Pines and Ken Swearingen of Baltimore; a grandson, Eugene Swearingen of Gaithersburg, Md.; five nieces, Nancy Benson of Waterford, Conn., Jamie, Julie, Jody and Jackie Woodside of Jamestown; and a nephew, Michael Woodside of Black Rock, Conn.

Private services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802. Acknowledgements may be sent to Dan Swearingen, 34 Sandyhook Road Lane, Berlin, Md. 21811.