Mary Susie Somerville (Grandma), 97, of Fort Washington, MD died October 20, 2007 at St. Mary's Nursing Center in Leonardtown, MD.

Born September 6, 1910 in Hollywood, MD, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Mary Ann Kelly. She married the late Bernard Somerville and from this union, the late James Foley Somerville, Sr. was born.

She was a life-long resident of St. Mary's County. At ninety-seven years of age, Grandma knew the county from way back when -- before most of us were even a gleam in our parents' eyes. And, if you ever had the opportunity to talk with her, she could tell you tales about how things use to be.

In her early years, she worked with her family as a sharecropper. Since she was the eldest daughter she was the caretaker for her aging parents. She kept this caretaking spirit as she took genuine care of her husband until his final days. In the early seventies she once again opened her home and heart to take care of her ailing brother. Finally, in the early nineties, it was her turn to be a receiver of care and comfort. She spent most of the last 17 years living with her daughter-in-law, Loretta, granddaughter, Maxine, and under the watchful eyes of her grandchildren and devoted niece, Jeanette.

Grandma leaves us the following words of wisdom: Next to God the most important thing in life is family; your most precious possession is yourself; you got to like your own self best; act like a lady or gentleman at all times; anybody that wants a dollar should go out and work; but don't spend all your money – you need to save some of it; clean your house every week so you have a nice home when your family comes to see you. And remember, people got to go when their time comes. You will miss me a long time but, you must move on. It takes time, but you gotta make the best of it and go on.

Grandma leaves to cherish her memories her daughter-in-law, Loretta, four granddaughters, Linda, Maxine, Darlene (Jim) and Wanda (Albert); four grandsons, Foley, Michael, Larry (Quanda) and Marvin (Dalphine); five great-granddaughters, Michelle (Rodney), Felicia (Roland), Keisha, Eboney, Shelita, and Jasmine; six great-grandsons, Cory (Akeya), Michael Jr., Anthony, Brandon, Blake II and Albert II, thirteen great-great grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Phyllis and Xavier; two great-grandsons, Sean (Elizabeth) and Larry, Jr., her sisters, Elizabeth, Margaret, Etta and Jeanette, and her brothers, Johnson, Baden, Paul, Lee, and Anthony.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 26, 2007 from 10-11:00 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, MD, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Jack Kennealy will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.