In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Judie McCrone, VFW 9619’s former Auxiliary President, dies at 82
Judith Ellen “Judie” McCrone, 82, Past President of VFW 9619 Auxiliary, transitioned (Judie preferred that to “died”) Dec. 17. On Jan. 11, a Celebration of her Life was held at the VFW in Morningside, the only service she wanted to have. As she requested, “Precious Lord” and “In the Garden” were sung.
Judie was born in Binghamton, N.Y., daughter of Nellie and Charles Mosher. She graduated from Binghamton Central High School and went to work for the photographic company Ansco. She also sang with the local bands.
On Nov. 8, 1958 she married Francis “Frank” McCrone whom she first met at a church picnic when she was 9 years old. He was in the Air Force, which transferred him to several bases until, eventually, Andrews.
Frank and Judie joined VFW 9619, in Morningside, in 1978, and it became a huge part of their lives. Frank went on to be Commander, Judie to be President of the Auxiliary. Judie held many offices—including Chaplain of the Year—and received many awards. Later, her daughter Karen followed in Judie’s steps, holding many of the same offices.
Judie was talented at knitting and crocheting and continued until a month before her death. Every year she crocheted 100 lap-quilts for veterans’ homes and knitted skullcaps for McVETS.
She was once secretary for a Congressman, worked at Andrews’ bowling alley (now gone) and with DIA at Bolling AFB. She sang with the VFW State Choir. She enjoyed cruises, the slots, and shoes. But mostly “the VFW was her life.”
Judie and Frank divorced in 1988 but stayed friends. He died Feb. 10, 2019 and his brother Jim, who lived in Morningside, died on Oct. 5, 2019.
Judie is the mother of Karen Rooker, Diane McCrone and Aneta Lamb; grandmother of Ellen, Aimee, Patrick, America, Leslee and Sarah; great-grandmother of seven; and the sister of Cynthia Francisco. She will be buried with her parents in Binghamton.
She was proud to see her daughter Karen become Morningside Mayor and was “known as Karen’s Mom all over Morningside.”
Neighbors and other good people
I received two emails last week, informing me that I had the wrong city of residence for the Draheims. It is best noted by one complainer, “Judy Draheim lives in HuntingTOWN not HuntingTON.” Sorry about that.
Crystal Pruitt, of Skyline, and Caroline celebrated Christmas with a 5-day visit to Williamsburg.
Former District Heights vice mayor is now serving as interim mayor following the resignation of Mayor Eddie Martin.
The Skyline Citizens Association celebrates its 50th anniversary on May 16 at the Skyline Administrative Building (formerly, Skyline Elementary School). We hope all old-time Skyline residents will join us that day. More later.
All invited to Friday Bible Class at SRBC
Dr. Kelvin McCune, Pastor, invites you to join him in studying The Book of Mark at Suitland Road Baptist Church on Friday mornings with his Bible Class for the Community, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 301-219-2296.
Coming up
The 2020 Suburban Maryland Spring Home Show is coming to the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro Jan. 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event features a wide selection of home improvement professionals in a fun, interactive environment. Free and open to all ages. Info: 301-952-7900.
St. Philip’s, in Camp Springs, hosts its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Feb. 25, 5 to7 p.m. Adults, $6; children 5–12, $3; 4 & under, free. Bring the whole family for $20. For information, call Karin Yeatman, 301-899-7784, or Ligia Rojas, 240-480-9540.
Morningside Memories: 1990
Thirty years ago, the Lunch Bunch, a group of past and present Morningsiders, dined at the Beef & Reef Inn in Waldorf and then went to the Waldorf home of Doris and Bill Young for dessert. Also attending were Mary Nash, of Catonsville; Jeanne West, of Prince Frederick; Hazel Loughmiller, of Oxon Hill; Lois McMickle, of Londontown; Edythe Neale, Audrey Cook, Jean Glaubitz, Grace Carruth, and Jean Davis, all of Morningside.
A sadder note: Eleanor Snyder (1990) died Jan. 8 following a heart attack. She lived at 305 Larkspur Road and had a beauty shop in her home. An ad in an old Morningside Directory invites you to Eleanor’s Beauty Shop, “HAIR STYLING, HAIR CUTTING, PERMANENT WAVING.” You could call her at REdwood 6-7679. By the way, her husband Daniel was a Morningside Council Member.
Lewis Jones, member of the Iverson Mallwalkers
Maj. Lewis C. Jones, Jr., 92, President of the Hillcrest Heights Civic Association, died New Year’s Day. A native of Spartanburg, S.C., he enlisted in the Air Force, and served at the Tuskegee airfield where he met many of the Tuskegee Airmen.
He earned a degree at South Carolina State University where he met his future wife, Edna Ruth Hill. He enlisted in the Army and served in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam wars. After military retirement, he earned a master’s and was an administrator at George Mason University.
He was a faithful member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Hillcrest Heights Senior Social Club and the Iverson Mallwalkers.
His wife Edna predeceased him. Survivors include sons Lewis, Wayson and Byron, in-laws, nieces and nephews. Burial will be at Arlington.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Nikial M. Boston, Jan. 17; Dennis Seaman and Linda Cullinan, Jan. 19; June Nicholson and Gina Glagola Hull, Jan. 20; my great-grandson Jason Shearer, Jan. 22; Mark Foland, Jan. 23; Claire Kennedy, Jan. 24; Kenneth Brown and Michelle Willis, Jan. 25: Father Thomas LaHood and Yvonne Garvin, Jan. 27; San’ Tori Dixon, Jan. 28; Sister Zion and Lisa Call, Jan. 29; David Call and Joanne (Clark) Bunch, Jan. 30.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
2019 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Joan Wicks Oxendine was born in Southern West Virginia, the daughter of a coalminer. She graduated from Stratton High School in Beckley, West Virginia with honors. She went to St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Clarksburg, West Virginia on a scholarship where she received a diploma. After moving to the Washington, DC area, she entered Howard University completing the Physician Assistant Program with high honors. She would later attend Bowie State College, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in the Advance Nursing Program. After leaving Bowie, she took a leave-of-absence from Group Health and completed a master’s degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Hygiene majoring in Health Policy and Management with a minor in Occupational Health.
Joan worked in Occupational Health for over 20 years both in the hospital and out-patient settings. Her last position was at Bowie State University where she operated a Nurse -Manager clinic through a HUD Grant in housing community of 1200 residences and finally as Manager of the Student Health and Wellness Center from which she retired in 2008.
Joan is very active in Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal church, where she has been a member for over 50 years. She served as a senior steward for 19 years, retiring in 2015. She taught Sunday School and was president of the President’s Council for 15 years. She has been a member of the Sarah Allen Missionary Society for 31 years where she currently serves as President. She is also the president for 25 years to the Sons and Daughters of Allen, a church club that emphasizes Black History in the church. She is an active member of Church Women United where she serves as president of the Prince George’s County Unit of Greater Washington.
In her community, she is president of the Civic Association and serves as a volunteer for the Prince George’s County Board of Elections, registering citizens to vote.
Her most proud accomplishment is being a published author. Her book, “Growing Up in the United States of America: A Nurse Encounters Starvation in the Uninsured,” was written out of her concern for the uninsured whose health insurance through the Affordable Care Act was being threatened by the Congress of the United States. Her book has been accepted by the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. She has also contributed articles to other publications including the Missionary Yearbook of the Women’s Missionary Society of the AME Church, the Missionary magazine and contributed an article to the book, “When I Touched,” a publication of the Sisters of the Covenant, Metropolitan AME Church, Washington, and DC. She also contributes articles to the Lenten and Advent booklets.
Joan has received several awards and recognition including an award for Humanitarian Service, given by the Washington Tuskegee Alumni Association. She was honored to be the Stratton HS reunion speaker in 2010 speaking to over 300 alumni. In 2018 she was an honoree of the Washington Conference Branch Women’s Missionary Society’s Annual Recognition Luncheon for her service as a missionary, she was an honoree at the Bowie State University 2019 Gala receiving the Community Service Award. She became a life member of the Bowie State University National Alumni Association in 2012. She is a member of the Prince George’s County Chapter.
SUPER BOWL PARTY
Join us for our Super Bowl Party February 2, 2020 at 6–9 p.m. at American Legion Post 227. The address is 13505 Cherry Tree Crossing Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613. So, is your team in the final big play off? “ Regardless they are hosting a super bowl party at Post 227 in Brandywine. Appetizers, snacks, beverages, the works. There will be two 50/50, 1st drawn at halftime, 2nd one at the end of the game.”
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