Leonard Somerville

On Monday, February 7, 2011 Leonard Somerville “Lionel” went home to be with the Lord. Visitation will be held Monday, February 14, from 9 a.m. until time Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church 29119 Point Lookout RD Morganza, MD. Interment St. Mary’s Queen of Peace.Leonard Lionel Somerville, better known as “Lionel” of Clements, MD was peacefully called home to rest on Monday, February 07, 2011. Lionel leaves a rich legacy filled with love, friendship, service and strength. He was a devoted child of God and God came first in his life.Lionel was born on March 25, 1947 in Loveville, MD. He was the son of the late Joseph C. and Beatrice L. Somerville of Loveville, MD. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda C. Newman Somerville, daughter Devon Somerville, brothers James T. Somerville, Louis H. Young and Joseph B. Somerville.Lionel was raised in Loveville and educated in St. Mary’s County at St. Joseph’s Colored School, Morganza, MD and
Banneker High School, Loveville, MD. He attended Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, Charles County Community College, and the College of Southern Maryland. In 1966, Lionel was drafted into the United States Army where he became a Para-trooper and served in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Unit until 1968. He was honorably discharged as an E4.Lionel developed good work ethics at an early age; his first job was working on his uncle’s farm after school and weekends. He continued learning and growing in many different fields, he joined the Labor Union #832 and the #5 Iron Worker Local Union in Washington, DC. In 1975, he and his wife Linda started a business cutting and selling firewood. In 1976, Lionel began his door to door ice cream business, which he operated until 1981. In 1979, he received a real estate license and continued to sell property until his death. In 1981 Lionel and Linda brought the old Clements supermarket, which housed the Clements Post Office. They converted the building into a convenience package good store and sold the Maryland State Lottery. Part of the facility was a night club/restaurant. He worked at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Head Division and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dalghren Division as a welder for 24 years.Lionel’s professional life included being the first president of the Minority Business Alliance, member of BIG (Blacks in Government, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Committee at both the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division and the Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was a part-time Real Estate Sales Associate with O’Connor, Piper & Flynn ERA. He served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Tri County Community Action Committee. He was instrumental in forming an all girl softball team for the Loveville, Leonardtown, Hollywood, Oakville, and Compton areas, and served as president of the St. Mary’s County Black Bar Owners Association, and proud member of the NAACP. Lionel was a very loving, loyal and caring person. He loved traveling, meeting people and family gatherings. He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, Dominique Somerville of Washington, DC, and one adopted son Tony Swann. He leaves six sisters, Agnes White, Mary F. Baker, Mary C. Dickerson (Joe), Molly Weeden, Carrie Ralls, and Henrietta Gross (Tom). Three brothers, Joseph W. Young, Jr. (Cecelia), Joseph W. Somerville (Susie), and Michael Somerville (Nancy). He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, god-children, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Offer Condolence for the family of Leonard Somerville