Mary Queen Esther Chase affectionately known as "Aunt Queen" was born November 1, 1923 to the late John Thomas Chase and Emma Frances Chase. She was the third of six children born to this union. Although she was always close to all of her siblings, she and her sisters formed a trio that worked, traveled and served together until recent years.

She was preceded in death by her three brothers, Raymond, John Benson and her disabled brother Claude whom she was a devoted caregiver for many years.

Aunt Queen joined Brooks United Methodist Church at an early age and became a dedicated member of the church family. She sang with the Brooks Chorus, the Utopians, Brooks Choir and the Sanctuary Choir. She was an active member of WSCS and the United Methodist Women. She also served as chairperson of the Floral Club, which she also founded. She attended church on a regular basis until her health began to fail. Even when she could not attend, she was always anxious to find out how the service went.

She attended elementary school in St. Leonard, MD and later attended the Old Two Room Pink School. Although she quit school at an early age to help her family out, she and her siblings had to walk miles to school. One thing that is undeniable about Aunt Queen is that she has always been a hard worker. She spent many years as a domestic worker and often walked through rain and snow to get to work. One of her employers was a navy captain who was stationed at Patuxent Naval Air Station in Lexington Park, MD. She was so important to this family that she traveled throughout the United States with them.

She loved going to church and participating in the bible fellowship study questions. Some of her other favorite activities was cooking, doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles, making crafts, going places with her sisters and receiving calls and visits from her relatives and friends. One of her favorite sayings was "Lord don't move my mountain just give me the strength to climb it", another was "Always treat people right" and "Y'all need to get to know the people".

Queen Esther was blessed with three children, Garnett, Ronald and Valerie. She was also blessed with a devoted cousin, Ruth Johnson and devoted friends, Ruth Reynolds, Sarah Hutchins, Christine Long, Marian Johnson, Mary Bourne, Norma Garrett-Bundley and Elaine Fowler.

She was a giving and caring person who loved everybody. She was always willing to please and always put the needs of others before her own. Although failing health had taken away her physical ability to serve, it didn't change her heart or her wonderful loving spirit. "Aunt Queen" was truly a "Queen" and a blessing to many in the community and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by three children, Garnette Mason (Lawrence), Ronald Freeland (Sharon) and Valerie Johnson (Winston); 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives.

Arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home.