Mabel Lee Ireland (nee King), age 83, a life-long resident of Calvert County, died September 1, 2008, at her home in Sunderland, MD.

She was the devoted wife of the late John Benjamin Ireland, Jr.; daughter of the late James L. and Mabel Hall King; beloved mother of Carolyn E. Clipper (Carl), John B. Ireland III (Cindy), Dennis L. Ireland (Mary Jo), Connie I. Hall (Raymond) and Darrell E. Ireland (Tony Bladen), all of Sunderland; sister of Alma Ford of Owings, Shirley Ewald of Lothian, William "Buddy" King of Owings and the late Dorothy Ann Secor, James and Robert King. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was born January 4, 1925 on the King family farm in Owings. She married John B. Ireland on April 22, 1946 and they lived and raised their family on the Ireland family farm in Sunderland. She loved her family, and was devoted to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She also cared for many others, working at a Padgett's Nursing Home in Owings and Calvert County Nursing Center in Prince Frederick. She also did private- duty nursing into the 1980's.

As a farm wife and homemaker, she spent many hours in the tobacco fields and stripping room. She loved to socialize and travel with friends, including trips to Hawaii, the beach and on cruises. She loved gardening, and won many awards at the Calvert County Fair through the years.

She was a faithful member of Mt. Harmony United Methodist Church where she was active in the Women's Society, the homemakers, and she also helped at church suppers as an oyster-patter, and was a candy egg maker during Easter. She was also an active member of the Women's Democratic Club in Calvert County.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home, 8325 Mount Harmony Lane, Owings, MD.