Mary Catherine Carnegie

The Life and Legacy of Mom “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, came on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 9:18 pm and took his daughter home, while a resident at Wicomico Nursing Home in Salisbury, MD. Mary Catherine Birckett Carnegie, the fourth child out of eight children born to the late Loney Phillip and Elsie Mae Cornish Birckett, was born on March 7, 1927 in Hebron, Maryland. She attended the public school system of Wicomico County, MD. On February 14, 1945, she married the late Leopold L. Carnegie, who preceded her in death. Affectionately known as “Mom, Grum-Mom, Mary, Mary C., Ms. Mary, Mom Mary, Momsie, Hollywood, Queen Mary, Sister Mary or Mother Carnegie”, she was taken to St. Luke United Methodist Church in Hebron, MD to attend the family church. While attending St. Luke, she met Elder John P. & Mrs. Josephine M. Brewington, who moved to the area from Smyrna, Delaware. She traveled with Elder Brewington and his family to many church services. She furthered her Christian training and became a member of Mt. Enoch Holy Church, which was located in Hebron, Maryland at that time. While working in the ministry with Elder Brewington, she became the Sunday School Teacher for the Cradle Roll Class. She taught Sunday School for more than 40 years, retiring in 1998. Mom was a faithful and dedicated member of Mt. Enoch Holy Church, Inc. under the leadership of Presiding Elder Dr. Glen T. Robinson and First Lady Missionary Elaine E. Robinson, until her heath began to fail. She served faithfully for more than 70 years. She served as Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary, Women’s Day Chairperson, Hospitality Committee, Senior Choir, Mass Choir and Missionary Department. In her earlier years, she also served on the District level with Evangelist Jessie Brice and the late Minister Bernice Crawford. A few of her favorite scriptures were Psalm 27, Psalm 121 and Isaiah 53. Her favorite songs included “Somehow I Made It, I’ve Got So Much to Thank the Lord For, One Day at a Time and There’s Not A Friend.” On occasion, you could hear mom humming one of these selections, especially when she was preparing the family meals. She was formerly employed by Campbell Soup Company in Salisbury, Maryland. She later became employed by Shore Up, Inc. in Salisbury, Maryland, working for the Head Start program. In 1983, she became employed by Holly Center, Inc. in Salisbury, Maryland, (a state facility for the disabled), retiring in 1998. Upon her retirement, she continued her employment through the Senior Aide Program, where she was assigned light duty office and production work, as well as being a Foster Grandparent. We can now say, “It Is Well With Her Soul.” Those left to mourn her passing are: four daughters, Janet L. Brown of Rochester, NY, Diane Johnson of Bladensburg, MD, Cheryl L. Carnegie of Salisbury, MD and Crystal F. Carnegie of Laurel, MD; one devoted son-in-law, Bruce K. Brown, Sr. of Rochester, NY; two sisters, Norma L. Birckett and Bertha M. Hudson, both of Philadelphia, PA; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; sixteen great-great grandchildren; godson, Elder Joseph M. Pitts, Jr. (Priscilla); adopted daughters, Karen Johnson of Woodbridge, VA and Audrey L. Jones (John, Jr.) of Salisbury, MD; her spiritual children, Elder Clifton L. Paige, III, Melissa K. Davis (Ernie) of Salisbury, MD, Lori A. Carter and Bernard R. Carter, Jr., all of Salisbury, MD; three very special friends, Fannie W. Birckhead of Snow Hill, MD, Yvonne B. Taylor of Baltimore, MD and Catherine Smith of Patterson, NJ; her adopted granddaughter, Precious F. Bivens of Seaford, DE; four nieces and many great nieces, nephews, other adopted children including the Carnegie, Pitts, Holland, Bivens, Fountains and Morton families, along with many cousins and great friends. She is also survived by a sister/cousin, Geraldine Birckhead of Hebron, MD and Elder Glen T. and Mother Elaine E. Robinson, along with the Mt. Enoch Holy Church Family. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two sons, James L. Birckhead and Dennis L. Carnegie; two sisters, Martha Barnes and DeLurie Birckett; three brothers (all of whom died at birth) Loney, Phillip and Samuel Birckett; four special friends, Elder Clara H. M. Corbin, Ernestine Morton, Mildred Russell and Edna Carnegie. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Catherine Carnegie, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Mary Catherine Carnegie

March 7, 1927 - May 3, 2018