Doretha Mae Henry

OBITUARY OF DORETHA MAE HENRY Doretha Mae Pinder Henry was the only child of the late Harold Rudolph Jackson, Alice Elizabeth Pinder Gardner and Reginald Stokes Gardner. She was born on January 3, 1944 in Cambridge, Marylan and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this earthly life on August 2, 2025 to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dee spent her early childhood years in Vienna, Maryland where she and her mother, Alice, lived on the family farm. This was the home of her uncle, John Pinder, who raised Alice and her five sisters after the death of their parents. Doretha was christened at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna, Maryland as an infant. From early childhood to adulthood, she attended Wayland Baptist Church in Baltimore until moving to Salisbury. Dee Henry, as she was affectionately called by many, joined Wesley Temple United Methodist Church in Salisbury on April 8, 1990. She loved singing and joined the Chancel Choir, singing alto, for many years. She was a faithful member who believed in prayer and the Lord Jesus Christ. Doretha received her education in the public schools of Baltimore City and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1961. She was the first black female to attend Garrison Junior High School in the year 1955. The integration experience was challenging but she proved to be a strong and brave pioneer. Dee attended The University of Maryland University at College Park and received her para-legal certification in 1977. Dee Dee, as she was lovingly called by her husband, Edward Elzey Henry, Jr. (Sonnye), was joined in holy matrimony on April 20, 1980 in Baltimore, Maryland. She moved to Salisbury and had a wholesome and blended family with Sonnye, her best friend and soul mate. During her professional career, Dee wore many hats. She pioneered as the first Black female in various areas such as: a legal secretary for the first Black lawyer of Lawton, OK in 1962; first Black executive secretary of the president of Perdue Farms, Inc. in 1981; first Black executive secretary at Piedmont Airlines (later US Airlines) in 1983, and first Black female to become Vice President /Human Resources Recruiter at Second National Federal Savings Bank in Salisbury, until the bank was desolved in 1995. Dee became the second Home School Liaison in Wicomico County in 1997 at East Salisbury Primary School until the year 2000. She often said every day was a new experience, an adventure and often a reward. Doretha was a sincere advocate for children who had no voice. Making a difference with youth was very meaningful to her. One of her most memorable and rewarding experiences was as a Den Mother, for five years. Her love and respect for children was evident in many of the associations and boards of directors on wish she served. She was a member of the following; Wicomico County Citizens Review Board and a State Board member for District #1 (Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset and Worchester Counties); Junior Achievement of Wicomico County; The United Way; NAACP Organization, Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service Board.; Wor-Wic Community College Foundation Board; Shore Up Advisory Board; Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council. Dee also served in other volunteer positions such as a judge for the Oratorical Contest for The Salisbury Optimist Club, Wicomico County Community Foundation Richard Hazel Scholarship Committee and the Wicomico County Board of Education Mentoring Program. Dee became a Link in 2003 and held officer positions as two-time Financial Secretary and President of the Princess Anne Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She loved her Link Sisters and enjoyed serving on the special committees and various facets. On the social level, Dee was a pillar of a wonderful group of friends who for over 42 years had loved each other, had seen much of the world together through travel, and who truly loved just spending time together. They were known as the O. C. Gang. Wonderful and loving memories will be kept by her husband; Edward Henry; her children, Taavon and Randee (Linda) Brown and Catrina Henry Taylor; adopted son, Jimmie Reed; three grandchildren, Skylar (Kailsha) Waters, Christopher Brown and Allison Brown; and six great-grandchildren, Mariah, Arielle, Skylar, Jr., Ryson, Orion and Xavia; brother-in-law, Charles Henry and sister-in-law, Clarice Henry. Additionally, memories of Dee will be held by: aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins of the Pinders, Gardners, Jacksons, Greens, and the O.C. Gang Families. Appreciation The family must give a very special heart-filled THANKS to Sandra Cook, Vicky Cook and Shernika Roberts who were Dee’s wonderful and caring caretakers. I could not have done it without them. They are a part of our family now …. Sonnye

Doretha Mae Henry

January 3, 1944 - August 2, 2025