Obituaries

Elmer Francis Gray

Elmer Francis Gray, 70, of Clements, MD passed away at Hospice of St. Mary’s in Callaway, MD on May 11, 2016. Elmer was born in Leonardtown, MD on September 23, 1945 to the late Martin G. Gray and the late Josephine Quade Gray.

Elmer enjoyed fishing and hunting in his younger days. He loved spending time with family, especially the grandkids, cooking and being creative.

In addition to his parents, Elmer was predeceased by his brothers, Lawrence Gray and Leonard Gray; sisters, Margaret DeMarr and Lucy Gray. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Janet “Jody” Nelson Gray; daughters, Mary Frances Gray, Carol Lynn Bowles (Greg); grandchildren, Josephine and Gregory Bowles; brothers, Joseph Gray and William Gray; sisters, Maude Combs, Mary Farrell, and Pearl Crutchfield.

Family will receive friends for Elmer’s Life Celebration Visitation on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. with Prayers at 6:30 p.m. at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Funeral Service will be on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home in Charlotte Hall, MD.

Memorial Donations may be made to: Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Gay Suzanne Bowie Tunney

Gay Suzanne Bowie Tunney 56 of Pisgah Maryland went peacefully with the lord on Wednesday may 11th 2016.she was born in Washington d.c. on july 31st 1959. daughter to the late Leo c. Bowie Sr. and Miriam E. Mattingly Bowie. Gay was preceded in death by her husband David Allen Tunney, her parents and sister Pamela Ann Bowie.

Gay worked with her mother for a period of time in the Leo c. Bowie general store in Pisgah,md after her fathers death. As well as a government employee at the pentagon for a number of years.

Gay is survived by her children, Tony Huntt, Heather Tunney, Nicole Tunney,Kyle “Max” Bowie. her sister Cynthia “cindy” Bowie, brothers Leo c. “carl” Bowie Jr. Gary Lee Bowie, Gregg G.Bowie, grand child Chace Howe, her Dear friend William “Bill” Dempsey and Many beloved nieces nephews aunts uncles and cousins.

Besides the love from family and friends she enjoyed bird watching gardening and nascar races.

The family will receive friends for Gay’s life and legacy celebration on Saturday may 21st at 11 a.m. at the Newlife church dome building in white plains Maryland. Internment will be held at a later date.

Roy “Braxton” Pyle, III

Roy “Braxton” Pyle, III, aged 55 from White Plains, MD died peacefully on May 11, 2016. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Braxton Pyle, Jr. He is survived by his loving mother, Jan, his sister, Jaime (Pat), and his devoted wife of 35 years, Tamie. Braxton and Tamie had four children, Jacque (Marcus), Roy (Jessica), Ryan (Vic), and Alli, along with five grandchildren, Mika, Marilyn, Gabby, Patrick, and Aiden who he cherished and loved deeply. Braxton was also survived by his Newman family, loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of long-time friends. He was proud to serve alongside his family of First Responders from Waldorf Station #12 and Newburg Station #14. Friends may visit on Monday, May 16, 2016 from 5-8PM with Fire Department Prayers at 7PM at the New Life Wesleyan Church, 9690 Shepherd Creek Place, La Plata, MD and where a celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 11AM. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Station #12, 7000 St. Florian Drive, Waldorf, MD 20601.

Sandra Margaret Rigby, 73 of Mechanicsville, Maryland died May 11, 2016 at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore City, Maryland.

Sandra was a residential counselor for the Angels Watch Center (Catholic Charities) in Hughesville, Maryland and a member of Lifestream Church of the Nazarene in Waldorf, Maryland. She was known by many as always helping the poor. She loved to travel and was very family-minded and loved her two grandchildren.

She was the daughter of Joseph Wilson and Jeannette Percival Wilson.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristin Ziesing and husband Terry; her brother, Carl Wilson and wife Linda; her sister, Martha Lane; and her grandchildren, Kevin Shupe and Jessica Ziesing.

Friends received on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Lifestream Church of the Nazarene, 5105 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601 and where Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. Interment at Heritage Memorial Cemetery on Poplar Hill Road in Waldorf, Maryland. Arrangements by Raymond Funeral Service in La Plata, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Southern Maryland Food Bank using the gofundme charity campaign link: https://www.gofundme.com/242vvfur

Robert Paul Vacin

Robert Paul Vacin, 72, of La Plata, MD, entered into eternal life on May 7, 2016 after a brief illness.

He was a member of the Dominican Order of Preachers from 1961-1970. He then became an officer in the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, retiring as Homicide Detective Grade One in 2002 after 31 years of meaningful service.

He was a devoted member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Pomfret, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, McDonough Council; Eucharistic Minister to the Sick and Homebound; Lector; Choir Member and Parish Council Member. He was also a member of the Carmel of Port Tobacco Restorers in La Plata.

A devotee to the Arts, Mr. Vacin was a perpetual student at the College of Southern Maryland, where he spent countless hours developing his skills as a painter and sculptor. He also loved watching Old Westerns and ESPN and was quite the music enthusiast, baker and chef.

Born Aug. 27, 1943 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Stephanie and Ladislav Zarobsky Vacin. Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Danny Vacin; sister, Barbara Woods; brother-in-law, Terry Welch; and father-in-law, Hydrick Welch.

In addition to his wife, Candace Welch Vacin, he is survived by his sons, Noel (Delyara) Vacin of Elkridge, MD; Michael (Connie) Vacin of Catonsville, MD; daughter Sara (Candice) Vacin of Batavia, NY; grandchildren, Emily, Leah, Sofia and Aidan Vacin; and motherin-law, Anna Willett Welch.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, May 19, beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pomfret, where a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon. The Rev. Harry Stokes will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carmel of Port Tobacco, 5678 Mt. Carmel Road, La Plata, MD 20646. To place an obituary in the Maryland Independent, call a sales representative at 443-231-3387. Customers may also email obits@chespub.com to place an obituary.

Annie Cecelia Smothers, 91 of Newburg, Maryland, died May 14, 2016. Wife of the late John Wade Smothers. Contact Raymond Funeral Service (301-934-2920/www.raymondfuneralservice.com) for funeral information.

Sherle Ann DeWitt age 64 of Waldorf, Maryland formally of Washington, DC died May 11, 2016. Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Service, PA, White Plains, MD

Martha Nadine Barbour age 65 of Indian Head, Maryland died May 12, 2016. Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Service, PA, White Plains, MD

Suddenly, on Saturday, May 14, 2016, Bernard Winchester III, of Waldorf, MD transitioned from this life to one eternal. Full obituary www. thorntonfuneralhomepa.com.

William Clayton Bowling, Jr, of Palmetto, FL died on May 13, 2016 at his residence. Contact Raymond Funeral Service for details, 301-9342920 raymondfuneralservice.com.

Gregory C. Smith, age 64, of Washington, DC passed away on May 11, 2016 in Fairfax, VA. Arrangements by: Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601

Elton L. Lassiter, age 57, of Waldorf, MD passed away on May 13, 2016 in Clinton, MD. Arrangements by: Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601

Patrick Fitzgerald Dorsey, 49 of Newburg, Maryland, died May 14, 2016. Husband of Tammy Dorsey. Contact Raymond Funeral Service (301-934-2920/www.raymondfuneralservice.com) for funeral arrangements.

Joseph W. Akers, 74 of Fort Washington, MD died on May 13, 2016 arrangements by call Arehart-Echols Funeral Home LaPlata, MD

Joan Maureen Sanders, 68, of Brandywine, MD, wife of James W. Sanders, died May 11, 2016. Contact Raymond Funeral Service at 301934-2920 or www.raymondfuneralservice.com for funeral arrangements.

William J. Butler, age 65, of Upper Marlboro, MD passed away on May 12, 2016 in Clinton, MD. Arrangements by: Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601

Alejandro M. Herrera, age 19, of LaPlata, MD passed away on May 12, 2016 in LaPlata, MD. Arrangements by: Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601

Scott Oliver Henson, 48, of Indian Head, MD, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 in Nanjemoy, MD. Please visit thorntonfuneralhomepa.com for Service Information.

Sandra Margaret Rigby, 73, of Mechanicsville, MD, died May 11, 2016. Counselor w/Angels Watch. Contact Raymond Funeral Service, 301-934-2920/www.raymondfuneralservice.com for funeral arrangements.

Thomas Eugene Harley, 68, of Indian Head, MD, on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at the La Plata Center Genesis Eldercare. Please visit thorntonfuneralhomepa.com for Service Information.