Alamae Wongus Obituary (1925

Alamae Frances Marchbanks was born in Algood, Tennessee on March 22, 1925 to the late Charlie Clyde and Nannie Murphy Marchbanks. She was the 3rd of 4 children born to this union and the only girl. On Sunday, March 1, 2015, while residing at Genesis Healthcare Chesapeake Woods Center, She was called to move on to eternity after a lengthy illness. She was 89 years old. Her love for music was a strong part of her up bringing as a preacher’s kid. Her strong, beautiful alto voice would also play a part in other family members love of music. While attending Tennessee State A & I College, she met her soulmate, who was at that time a soldier in the United States Army. Daniel E. Wongus, made her Mrs. Wongus and later brought her to his home in Cambridge, Md. From this union, they were blessed with six children. Mom established her membership at Waugh United Methodist Church shortly after her relocation. While a member, she busied herself by singing in several of the choirs, The Mason’s Choral Club, The Senior Choir and the Angelic Choir. Other social activities included the Older Adult Ministry, United Methodist Women and the Hot Meals Program, the nursing staff, just to name a few. She could often be heard singing duets with the late Mrs. Delores Ross while being accompanied by the late Mildred Watkins Travis and Alva Keene. These ladies were blessed with their love of God’s music and loved to share it. She also traveled the community with the Joyettes, a trio consisting of herself, Mary Chester and Julia Johnson. A huge accomplishment for her was when she went back to school and received her nursing degree. This was done after her children were well along the way through school. She shared the kitchen table many a night as at times we were studying together. For the next 20 years, she was employed by the Eastern Shore Hospital Center. As was standard, back in the day, mom adopted many of her children’s friends and the house was never quiet or empty. She leaves to carry on her legacy, two sons, Harold Eugene and Daniel Edward Jr. (both of Cambridge); two daughters, Patricia Artis (Isaac), Greenville, NC and Brenda Davis (Frederick), Cambridge; 10 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; one brother, Paul Y. Marchbanks (Fannie), Knoxville, TN; a sister in-law, Ione Marchbanks (McMinnville, TN); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and adopted children. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Donald Richard, daughter, Linda Schley and two brothers, Charles Edward and Arthur Joe Marchbanks. Interment will take place Monday, March 9, 2015 at 10 am at Maryland Veterans Cemetery near Hurlock.