Sarah Ellen Demby

Sarah Ellen Murray Demby, formerly of Ridgley, Maryland, departed this earthly life on Saturday October 27, 2012, at Dorchester General Hospital. Born on July 10, 1929, Sarah was the 17th of 18 children born to the late James Raymond and Annie Rebecca Murray. Sarah was raised in Ridgley, Maryland and attended Ridgley Elementary School and the former Lockerman Jr/Sr High School. She shared memories of her school days with her family. Her greatest memory was the day President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited her elementary school. As a young woman, she attended Replanted Zion Methodist Church, now known as New Beginnings. She was a member of Lockerman United Methodist Church, Goldsboro, Md. until the church closed. A few years later Sarah was baptized and joined Greater New Hope Church and Ministries, where she was a devoted member of the Usher Board. She loved to travel to different churches, sometimes taking her 3 young grand children (Charlene, Athena and Randal) to sing. Due to her health in later years she was unable to attend services on a regular basis, but she tried never to miss a second Sunday to see her 5 granddaughters, Family Praise, minister through dance. In her adult years Sarah worked at the former Caroline Poultry, Denton, Maryland, and Campbell’s Soups Company, Chestertown, Maryland. She later worked at and retired from the Caroline Nursing Home in Denton, Maryland. Sarah had a passion for putting together puzzle pictures and solving crossword puzzles. She received many puzzles from family and friends who knew how much she loved them. She loved to travel with friends and family. And in later years she looked forward to her monthly outings with daughter Carlotta. She truly enjoyed her weekly phone calls from her nieces Delores Concepcion and Margaret Peterson. Sarah was especially proud of her children, grand children, great grandchildren and great-great-grand children, always giving them an encouraging word, advice where needed and taught them to love the Lord. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great-great Grandmother. She loved her family unconditionally and had a close relationship with her brothers and sisters and their families. On August 20, 1948 Sarah married William Howard Henry, from this union were born four children; they later divorced. Sarah married Hazel Demby on November 5, 1977. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents James Raymond and Annie Rebecca Murray, her husband, Hazel Demby, her oldest son Robert S. Henry Sr., thirteen brothers and four sisters. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters Carlotta M Johnson and Florence A. Jenkins; one son Charles W. Henry, Sr.; two daughter in-laws Shirley Henry and Rhodesa Henry; two stepsons Bernard Demby and Vernon Demby; a devoted friend Claude Gilbert; ten grandchildren: Charlene Gould (Andre), Barbara Henry, Robert Pauls, Athena Brown, Edwin Henry(Yolanda), Octavia Pauls, Henry Mayes(Chelsea), William Johnson, III(Malkia), Candace Henry, and Charles Henry, Jr. Seventeen great grandchildren: Eric Brice, DeWan Ricketts(Tasha), Markeshia Gould, Kentrell Ricketts, Tamara Gould, Kenyetta Pauls, Aaron Brice, Evan Henry, Brianna Newnam, Sha’Quana Johnson, Da’Quan Johnson, Majiah Henry, Jehiyah Brown, Henriette Mayes, Robert Pauls, Jr, Rysess Pauls and Michael McCormick. Eight great-great grandchildren: Ca’Ley Ricketts, Tyana Newnam, Taymia Brice, Eric Brice, Jr., and Tyzay Brice. Five sister’s in-laws: Betty Y. Murray, Delores Price, Janice Taylor, Charlotta Wilson and Tulicia Henry. Two brother’s in-law Alvin Henry and Charles Taylor. One aunt in-law: Wilmina Groce. And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Sarah was especially fond of her caregivers: Delores Moseley and O’Delsa Hubbard who she considered family. Avisitation will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012 at New Beginnings Church in Ridgely, MD from 6 to 8 PM and on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at St. Luke's Church in Denton MD from 10 AM to 12 PM with service to follow. Interment will follow at the Murray-Henry Cemetery in Ridgely, MD.

Sarah Ellen Demby

July 10, 1929 - October 27, 2012