quander remembrances archive

Lessie (Age 105) was born on January 19, 1914 in Mobile, AL and passed away on January 5, 2020 in Washington, DC. 

Lessie leaves to cherish her memory daughter, Alice Quander; granddaughter Tracey Smedley; great-granddaughter, Ysabella Quander-Smedley; and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Family received friends on Friday, January 24, 2020, 10 a.m., followed by funeral service, 11 a.m., at St. Gabriels Catholic Church, 26 Grant Circle NW. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD.

Louise passed on Saturday, January 11, 2020. 

Louise was the wife of the late LeeCount Quander and mother of the late Jeannie Quander.  To cherish her memory are her daughters, Elaine Butler, Charlotte Ware, Diann Quander-Walton and Teresa Blake.

A viewing was held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 10:00 am to 12 noon at Reese Funeral Professionals, 311 North Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA.

Pauline was born on January 5, 1958 and passed away on March 26, 2020 in ICU at Prisma Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC. 

Pauline leaves to cherish her memory husband, Dwayne, and children, Joseph, Patrice and Dwayne, Jr.

Memorial service held in the Washington, DC area.  

Evelyn was born on October 8, 1924 and on Good Friday, April 10, 2020 she earned her wings and transitioned into eternity.  We lost one of our graceful elders. 

Evelyn is survived by her children, Sandra Rattley and Thaddeus Rattley and his wife, Cynthia.  Read Evelyn's obituary here.

Roberta was born on February 10, 1924, the youngest of four children born to Robert H. Quander and Sadie Chinn Quander.  She passed away on May 4, 2020.  Roberta is survived by Edna Quander Wooldridge (niece), Geri Quander Ross (niece), Leslie Quander Wooldridge (great-niece), Naomi Brooks, Marie Quander, Henrrietta Quander (cousins), Joseph Williams (cousin) and a host of other family and friends. 

Roberta attended elementary school at the Spring-Bank School in the general vicinity of the family home at 6318 Quander Road, just south of Alexandria in Fairfax County, and she was bused 33 miles to Manassas High School.  After high school she attended Howard University, and while there, she was elected Miss Howard University. Roberta was a  member of Alfred Street Baptist Church for 92 years.  (Read Roberta's full obituary here.)

Graveside service held May 15, 2020 at 2PM at Bethel Cemetery, Old Town, Alexandria, VA.

Naomi L. Brooks passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020 in Ft Belvoir, VA. 

Naomi is the beloved wife of MG Leo A. Brooks, US Army (Ret.). She is also survived by her children, BG Leo A. Brooks, Jr., US Army (Ret.) (Debbie), Gen. Vincent K Brooks US Army (Ret.) (Carol) and Marquita K Brooks, Esq. (Dawn); her siblings, Dr. Janice Winters, Ruth Shuler and James Lewis, III (Karen); four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Her life was celebrated during a private funeral. Naomi is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.  

Sekila Mali Holmes Argrett was born on September 17, 1972, the only child of Dr. Oakley Holmes and the late Gloria Tancil Holmes (and granddaughter of Gladys Quander Tancil) in Madison, Mississippi. She was 48 years old, and leaves a loving husband, Gus, and two beautiful daughters, Alicia and Ellie. 

Two funeral services were held. The Virginia memorial service was held on Saturday, August 7, 2021, 10am at Greene Funeral Home, 814 Franklin Street, Alexandria, VA.

Lynda passed away on Wednesday August 25, 2021 with her husband caring for her by her bedside. Born October 6, 1957, Lynda is the daughter of Philip and Phyllis Matthews. Lynda attended St. Anthony Catholic High School in Washington, DC and Howard University.  

Lynda is survived by her mother Phyllis Matthews, her husband of 36 years Allan Gordon, her twin boys Brian and Brandon Gordon, her granddaughter Riley Gordon, her siblings Lenaldo (Lee) Matthews, Larryl Matthews, Lowell Matthews, Kara Matthews-Bland, and numerous extended family members.  (Read the full obituary here.) 

Funeral services were held September 10, 2021 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Washington, DC.

Mary Jane "MJ" Hemmings (nee Mitchell) was born on June 4, 1959 in Phoenixville, PA, and passed suddenly on December 29, 2021 in Deptford, NJ.

MJ was the beloved wife of Gregory Hemmings for 38 years.  Devoted mother of Dionne Harrell (Benjamin) and Jasmine Hemmings.  Loving grandmother of Christian and Isaiah.  Cherished daughter of Kenneth, Sr. and the late Debbie (nee Coppedge) Mitchell.  Dear sister of Kenneth Mitchell, Jr. (Elaine), Wesley Mitchell, and the late Patricia Mitchell Brown-McGhee.  Loving daughter-in-law of Kenneth and Joan (nee Newlin) Hemmings.   Also survived by her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  (Read the obituary here.)

Funeral services were held January 7, 2022 at The Perfecting Church, 274 Delsea Drive Sewell, NJ 08080.