Branson, Mary Hilda (AGE 87) of Clinton, Maryland

Mary Hilda Branson was born on March 16, 1936, to the Late Joseph and Edna Claggett. On Thursday, February 1, 2024, she peacefully entered eternal rest at Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center located in Clinton, Maryland.

Mary was raised in Accokeek, Maryland and educated in the Prince George's County Public School System. Mary always admired those who furthered their education and would always encourage her grandchildren and others to pursue a higher education. She was known to "brag" on her grandchildren and nieces and nephews' degrees.

Mary was known for being a hard worker and was employed with Andrews Air Force Base at Malcolm Grow Hospital as a Dietician for 32 years, until retiring in 1996. After retirement, Mary just couldn't keep still, she went on to work for United Cerebral Pasley as a Care Giver in a group home for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. She had two special clients who instantly grew a strong attachment to her, so naturally Mary added "Jason" and "Larry" to the family. She couldn't leave one behind without the other and took Jason and Larry on daily outings, family functions, and shopping at Macy's or Nordstroms. She made sure that Jason and Larry had the best lifestyle and latest fashions while under her care.

Mary was also known as Tiny and Mary B to her community and her home was affectionately known as "Grandma's House" or "The House of HOPE," which was a name given by her late sister Theresa Fox. "Grandma's House" always was open to anyone in the neighborhood and always had a front yard full of her grandchildren along with the neighborhood kids playing, running, and riding bikes. It's always one house that everyone congregates to, and  "Grandma's House" was that house for many. So much, that people would literally stop to ask if it was a Daycare Center.

Everyone always knew you could come to "Grandma House" even without her grandchildren. There were plenty of weekends, that the living room floor had plenty of family and friends laying on pillows and blankets enjoying themselves at "Grandma's House". You can't forget that with the hospitality also came a piece of wisdom, knowledge and great food.

Mary had the opportunity and enjoyed every moment assisting her grandchildren by taking them to their practices of various sports, events, and being the "Tour Guide" for the historical sites of Prince George's County and Calvert County. Let's not forget how she adored all her "grandsons" they did no wrong in her eyes; "SHE LOVED HER BOYS".

Mary enjoyed sitting in her chair, looking out the window and watching her favorite shows in her free time. You could always catch Mary watching a good tennis match with Coco Gauff or the "The Williams Sisters" Venus and Serena who she loved. She also loved her History Channel, CNN, Ghost Stories shows, Young and the Restless, and any Tyler Perry show with Madea. She enjoyed reading her Danielle Steel books or the Washington Post and listening to country music and getting as she would say "good gossip". She loved being on the phone getting or telling the latest about the community/family news. When asked, why you gossiping Grandma? Her reply was always "Whatever".

Mary loved to travel and made sure her family never missed their yearly vacations to her timeshare in Kissimmee, Florida. She also visited various states and countries which included Hawaii, New Orleans, Dominican Republic, and plenty of cruises with her favorite being The Royal Caribbean to the Mediterranean Seas where she toured the Vatican City.

Mary was also big fan of Minister Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. Mary purchased a new TV just to ensure she had access and wouldn't miss any of his speeches. She had the opportunity to see and meet Minister Farrakhan in person at Howard University in Washington, DC.

Mary was known for always having a good meal cooking on the stove. She was famous for making her beef stew, cabbage with corn beef, and that good corn bread. Mary passion for cooking came from being a retired Dietician. She would cook her famous fried chicken and whiting fish for the Middleton, Ford, and Claggett Family reunions.

As time went by, she retired herself to let the next generation take over, but she would still insist on giving directions on "how hot the oil needed to be" and the "correct amount of seasoning". Before the winter months approached, she would send you to Miller's Farm to buy those green tomatoes, one of the ingredients she needed for her custom "Pickle Chow Chow".

Mary's cooking, support, guidance, laughter, "tell it like it is attitude", "gossip time" and letting it be known at every family function how important her boys are will forever be missed by many.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Edna Claggett; her sisters; Adell Advent, EdnaMae Brown, Elizabeth Lewis-Davis, Theresa Fox; her brothers, Anthony Claggett, Joseph Claggett; Son in-law Adriel Bullock; Grandson Troye E. Bullock, Sr., Nephew Dr. Charles Claggett and Neice Ann Newman.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory three sons; Barry Cromwell (Ann), Gary Yancy (Kim), Gregory Yancy (Regina); two daughters; Veronica Bullock (Adriel deceased), Terry Branson; two sisters: Margaret Harris, Veronica Graham (James); one brother Charles Claggett (Theresa), One exemplary and dedicated honorary daughter and caretaker Deborah Jackson. God-daughter Margo Brown and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Her viewing will be held from 10:00am until time of service 11:00am on Wednesday, February 14th, Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, Maryland.

On Wednesday February 14, 2024, at 11am please click on the link below to live stream the service.

Please make sure when viewing the services that the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).

The streaming will begin after the final family viewing.  Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream