Mary Elizabeth Herbert, 94, of Leonardtown, MD lovingly known as Momma Herbert was born on May 15, 1927 in Clements, Maryland to the late Rose Emore and William Edward “Dick” Forbes. God in loving and tender compassion called his faithful servant home on August 9, 2021 at her family homestead in Oakville, Maryland surrounded by her loving family. In 1947, Elizabeth married her soulmate and friend, Augustus Raymond “Gussie” Herbert and they enjoyed 74 years of marriage. God blessed the loving couple with thirteen children. She was a lifelong member of St Joseph Catholic Church in Morganza, MD where she remained a good and faithful servant until the time of her passing. There she instilled the love of Christ and the importance of family in all of her children and grandchildren. Elizabeth attended St. Joseph’s Colored School in Morganza, MD. She graduated from Banneker High School located in Loveville, MD. After graduating high school, Elizabeth’s focus was caring for her children, not only her children but all the children in the community. She was a teacher employed by the Tri-County Head Start Program in Lexington Park, MD. During the summers, along with a host of volunteers, she worked at camps focusing on reading and math among other things. One of her duties was to be responsible for the breakfast and lunch for all the campers. When not on traditional camp duty, Ms. Elizabeth often saw to it that the campers who were not able to attend CCD received their lessons sometime during the camp day by holding small classes for those in need, which included the distribution of homework assignments to ensure they would not fall behind in their church teachings. When the camp lost its funding, Ms. Elizabeth and the volunteers started fundraising and began to self-fund the camp every year. They were able to provide free summer camp for children in the neighborhood which provided a safe space and a way to encourage positive behaviors with community caring being of extreme importance. Elizabeth was a very cheerful and kind-hearted person who enjoyed working in her community as well as around her home, cooking, talking with her friends, kids, and grandkids. She was a devoted member of the “TRY ME Social Club”. In Elizabeth’s spare time, which there was not much of, she could be found in the kitchen preparing ordered dishes and often full meals that were ordered by people in the local community. She was definitely a community leader ALWAYS entertaining and hosting cookouts for her family, friends, and passers-by. Based on her busy lifestyle she made sure that all her children learned to cook at a very young age. She would prepare the meal list for the week on Sunday, assign a few children to do the shopping and cooking each day and upon her arrival at home expected it to be prepared just as if she had! Whenever time permitted, she would pack her little bag and head off to BINGO as well. Elizabeth was a dedicated lifetime member and avid supporter of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she served as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary and church choir. You would often find her teaching the Lord’s word through CCD classes, working at annual events/festivals. She was a very spiritual woman who was devoted to the teaching of the word. She spread love to whomever crossed her path. No matter the problem she maintained that there was NO problem too big for GOD. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Rose Marie Day, and Pandora Herbert; a son, Thomas Lionel Herbert Sr.; four brothers, Thomas, Joseph James, Louis Forbes, and James V. Young Sr.; brother-in- law, Enoch Herbert; two daughters-in-law, Cheryl Herbert and Sarah Herbert and six sisters-in-laws, Elizabeth Dorsey Forbes, Ethel Elizabeth Forbes, Lola Forbes, Edith Nelson, Agnes Holley, and Kathleen Young; three grandchildren, Paul Holt, Jr., Martin K. Herbert, Jr., William Briscoe (Ton Ton), and two great grandchildren, Iyaunna Herbert and Myliayh Herbert. Elizabeth leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband of 74 years, Augustus; daughters, Pamela Mason (Gary), and Agnes Holt; sons, Raymond, Michael, Joseph (Brenda), Jerome (Martha), James (Karen), William “Pat” (Pam), Paul (Charlene), Martin (Crystal) and Robert (Valerie); 37 grandchildren, 75 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Forbes, a special lifelong friend, Ms. Mary Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Family and friends will gather on Saturday, August 21, 2021 for visitation at 10:30 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. George’s Catholic Church, 19199 St. George’s Church Road, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Interment to follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.
Mrs. Elizabeth was a respected and important part of the community. My prayers are with the Herbert Family.
To the Herbert family I am sorry for your mother’s passing. My condolences goes out to the family
To the Herbert Family, You all have my Prayers and Sympathy. So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed talking to your Mother when we would see each other out. She has a heart of GOLD. She will be missed. God Bless You All