Bertha Mae Stanford

Reflections Bertha Mae Stanford was born on December 29, 1934 to the late Harry Rufus Demby, Sr. and Mabel Hicks Demby. She departed this life on October 6, 2025 peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. She was educated in the Queen Anne’s County School System where she attended Kennard School in Centreville, MD. Her journey of faith led her to become a member of Earles Chapel A.M.E., where she was baptized. Bertha dedicated over thirty years to the hospitality team at the Gunston School in Centreville, MD. She also worked part-time for the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners office, from where she retired after ten years of faithful services. Bertha later devoted twenty-two years to the Aspen Institute Wye River in Queenstown, MD. There she hosted prominent influential people including Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other national leaders. The Aspen Institute is where she was affectionately known as “Cuddy B” and “Momma.” She was loved by her girls Sheree (Winky) Hutchins, Carletta (Tink) Ryans and Takiyah Barney. Bertha fostered a family-like environment with her colleagues with whom she enjoyed spending time, sharing stories and loving on the grandbabies. Bertha found her greatest joys in life's simple moments. These included caring for her beloved husky, Queen, tending to her cherished flowers, and collecting "Snowbabies," which she saw as little heavenly angels. Her legendary Christmas tree, to which she added a new ornament every year, was a source of great pride and tradition. Most of all, she cherished time spent with family and friends, especially recounting childhood memories with her nephew, Harry (Butch) Demby. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James L. Hynson, with whom she shared the blessing of six children. She was also preceded by four of their children - Margaret “Muffie” Gibson, James, Jr., Shirley K., and Charles E. Hynson - as well as by her second husband, Harry E. Stanford, and her beloved brother, Harry H. Demby. She leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Sterling Hynson, Sr. and daughter, Hessie Hynson, both of Centreville, MD; grandchildren, Carroll “Teddy” Gibson, Sr., (Shannon) and Terry Gibson, both of Centreville, MD, Cherae Ensor (Keith) of Atlanta, GA, Trina Cain (Carlos) of Centreville, MD, Mello Summer of Baltimore, MD, Charles Hynson, Jr. (Dinea) of Glen Burnie, MD, Tanea Hynson of Fort Meade, MD and Sterling Hynson, Jr. of Ridgely, MD; sister-in-law, Gladys Demby; twenty-four great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bertha Mae Stanford

December 29, 1934 - October 6, 2025