Kathleen Shannonhouse Usilton, 94, of Leonardtown, MD passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at her residence. Born on June 14, 1921 in Durants Neck, NC, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Gordon Shannonhouse and Mary Elizabeth Smith Shannonhouse.

She moved to Washington, DC in 1938 to attend Washington School for Secretaries and was later employed by Hilbert Optical Company where she met her late husband David C. Usilton. They were married on September 27, 1941.
Mr. & Mrs. Usilton moved to St. Mary's County in 1951 when Mr. Usilton, who was an optician became the owner of Bowles Opticians in Leonardtown. Mrs. Usilton was a member of First Saints Community Church, St. Paul's Campus in Leonardtown, where she sang in the choir, served on the Altar Guild, was a member of United Methodist Women and helped in the soup kitchen. She was a member of the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary and a volunteer at their gift shop.

Mrs. Usilton is survived by her loving children: Patricia A. Bowes (Bob) of Tall Timbers, MD, D. Michael Usilton (Margaret) of Worton, MD, Susan E. Gateau of Mechanicsville, MD, Nancy R. Van Der Wende (Jim) of Kill Devil Hills, NC, and Dana K. Usilton of Nags Head, NC; her siblings, Mildred S. Johnson of Elizabeth City, NC and Thomas Gordon Shannonhouse, Jr. of West New York, NJ; 18 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. for Kathleen's Life Celebration at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Community Church, St. Paul's Campus, 22550 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD with The Reverend Ruth Dixon officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Bowes, Sr., David Bowes, Mark Taylor, Troy Piccaluga, Brandon McEndree and Nicolas Creehan. Memorial Contributions may be made to First Saints Community Church, St. Paul's Campus and Hospice of St. Mary's. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.