All Posts

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Garland Hayward was the longest serving Arican American commissioner for Princess Anne, MD . He is remembered as a dedicated public servant and community advocate whose work focused on creating opportunities for youth and strengthening community connections in Princess Anne.   As a commissioner and community leader, Garland believed deeply in investing in young people and providing safe, supportive spaces where they

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Gladys Johnson is a woman whose life reflects the powerful intersection of faith, leadership, and public service. As a pastor, she has provided spiritual guidance, compassion, and strength to those she serves, offering wisdom and care rooted in deep commitment to her community.   In addition to her ministry, Gladys has served as a commissioner, representing the people with integrity and dedication. In this role, she w

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Mary Belle Braxton was a woman of quiet strength and powerful memory. A cousin of George Armwood, the last man lynched in the state of Maryland, Mary carried his story through generations—sharing it with her granddaughter long before it appeared in textbooks.   Years later, when George Armwood’s name appeared as a single line in a Maryland history class, it sparked deeper research and a lifelong commitment to telling

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Lynnell Fletcher-Pugh is a local business owner, entrepreneur, and the current President of the Princess Anne Chamber of Commerce. Deeply engaged in her community, she is known for her compassion, advocacy, and commitment to creating opportunities where they are often denied.   A firm believer in second chances, Lynnell has consistently supported individuals seeking employment who may have been overlooked or pushed as

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Janye Desanae Harris, lovingly known as NYE to her family, Nae Nae at school, and “Miss Giggles” to just about everyone who meets her, is a joyful force of resilience and light.   Born weighing just 4 pounds, 3.9 ounces, Nye spent her earliest years defying expectations. After surviving a life-threatening seizure at 18 months, she was diagnosed with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Doctors once said she would not live past h

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Known to everyone as Dino, Damien Myron Jones left a mark that time has not erased. More than a decade after his passing, his name is still spoken with love, his memory still brings tears, and his presence is still felt by family, friends, and the community who knew him best.   Dino was a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a friend — a real one. The kind of person people laughed with, leaned on, and trusted. He had a way of

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Doretha Hitch-Selby truly lived life. She was outgoing, loving, and unforgettable—the kind of woman who brought energy into every room she entered. A natural people-person and the heart of any gathering, Doretha was known as the life of the party, always surrounded by laughter, stories, and love.She had a special way of bringing people together, especially around food. Her barbecues were legendary—full of flavor, fell

Rev. Charles Bagley is a respected faith leader, civic leader, and lifelong advocate for social justice in Somerset County, Maryland. Rev. Bagley is the current President of The Somerset County NAACP. Through both his ministry and community service, he has dedicated his life to advancing equity, dignity, and opportunity for all.   He previously served as President of the Somerset County NAACP, where he played a key role in addressing civil rights issues, advocating for fair t

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Janie Helen Johnson  (July 23, 1938 – March 22, 2024) was a beloved mother, educator, veteran, and woman of deep faith whose life reflected quiet strength and compassion. Born in Attapulgus, Georgia, she moved with her family to Somerset County, Maryland as a child and made it her lifelong home.   A graduate of Greenwood High School in Princess Anne, Janie proudly served in the United States Air Force before dedicatin

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Bradley Leonard Kearse (June 19, 1965 – October 11, 2015) was a native of Somerset County and a proud resident of Manokin, Maryland. Known lovingly as “Brads” or “Trustee,” Bradley was a devoted husband, father, and man of faith whose presence brought warmth and joy to those around him.   Educated at Westover Elementary School and Washington High School, Bradley worked as a skilled sheet metalist with Alston Cox Mecha

Franklin Benjamin Johnson, Sr. Dubbed by all his children in his household as the absolute Best Father in the World! One of his sons says he had a lot of admiration for him and always wanted to be around him to be taught by him. He was patient, soft spoken, and gentle to us all and sat us down and used his honest words to teach us. Nothing he ever taught us has left us. His oldest living daughter described him best when she said, “I always thought I was Daddy’s Girl until he

Tracy Reddick  is a local author and motivational speaker and a resident of Princess Anne, Maryland. As a proud member of the NAACP, she is passionate about empowering youth and supporting rehabilitation through community-based programs. She volunteers with various events and projects, sharing her time and resources wherever needed. As a formerly incarcerated individual, Tracy is determined to be a pillar of change, growth, and acceptance within the community.   To her, commu

Mother, Author, Coach, Trainer, Educator, Public Speaker, Commissioner AT-Large and currently the President of the Town of Princess Anne. Shelley Y. Johnson, a native of Upper Hill, MD. Daughter of Melvin Johnson and Lucille Hayward. She attended Somerset County Public Schools, in Princess Anne MD. She graduated from Washington High School in 1996. She attended Delmarva Beauty School and Ed Smith School of Real Estate, Wor -Wic Community College and UMES (2015) and later foun

Kenneth Daurice Butler  was a pillar of love, leadership, and service in Princess Anne, Maryland. For decades, he poured himself into education and community, shaping lives with equal parts discipline, generosity, and joy. He wasn’t just an educator—he was a guide, a protector, and, to many, the community’s godfather. Kenneth devoted more than 40 years to Somerset County Public Schools, serving as a teacher, principal, and Supervisor of Federal Programs. In 1976, he founded t

Darren Tremayne Hall  lived with an open heart and an easy smile. Raised in Princess Anne, Maryland, Darren was the kind of person whose presence brought comfort and joy without effort. He loved the simple things—fishing quiet waters, riding dirt bikes, working on his car, listening to music, and laughing with family and friends. Darren had a rare gift: he made everyone feel seen and welcome. Loyal, kind, and deeply devoted to the people he loved, he never met a stranger. His

James Lane is a respected waterman, folklorist, and local historian from the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Deeply rooted in the region’s maritime culture, he has dedicated himself to preserving and sharing the stories of African American watermen and maritime life on the Chesapeake Bay. Lane’s work includes chronicling first-hand accounts and oral histories that illuminate the traditions, labor, and lived experience of watermen — particularly in documenting the life and le

Earl Curtis Jordan was a treasured member of the Princess Anne community in Somerset County, Maryland, known for his decades of service, entrepreneurship, and personal connection to neighbors across the region. For more than 50 years, he operated a mobile grocery store and snowball truck , bringing food, snacks, and friendly conversation to streets and neighborhoods throughout Princess Anne. His work met daily needs, fostered connection, and brought joy to residents of all ag

Earl Thomas Marshall III , lovingly known as PJ (Pudding Jr.) , was pure joy in human form. Born April 7, 1986, and raised in Princess Anne, Maryland, PJ had a smile that lit up rooms and a personality that made people feel instantly at home. At Washington High School, he was known as “Mr. Popular”—charming, funny, stylish, and genuinely kind. People were drawn to him because he carried light wherever he went. PJ was an up-and-coming artist known throughout the Eastern Shore,

Somerset County, Maryland November 17, 1948 – January 4, 2017 Somerset County, Maryland   Franklin Ruben Braxton was a quiet man with a presence you never forgot. He didn’t say much, but when he did, his deep voice could catch you off guard—strong enough to make you pause—until you realized it belonged to one of the sweetest, most gentle people you would ever meet.   Frank was a devoted husband, father, and family man in every sense of the word. Married for 44 years to the lo

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ND4TpqNAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Educator • Mentor • Minister • UMES Alumnus Norman George Tilghman was a lifelong servant to education, faith, and community in Princess Anne, Maryland. A 1966 graduate of Maryland State College (now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore), he earned a BA in Social Science with a minor in French and later a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling. He pastored United Methodist churches while still a college st