Verstella Bertha Johnson Yates (Age 83) of Fort Washington, Maryland

On Sunday, March 6, 2016, God called another Angel home, Verstella Bertha Yates, departed this earthly life and transitioned to her heavenly home. Verstella was born on August 31, 1932, to the late Charles and Estelle Johnson of Washington, DC, where she was also raised. She was the older of two children. She was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Veronica C. Sandidge.

She began her education in the Washington, DC school system, with a few semesters at Pomonkey High School in Charles County, MD, before transferring back to Washington, DC and graduating from Cardoza High School. On March 13, 1959, she was married to the love of her life the late Robert Herman Yates and raised three children; two daughters Anastasia Adams and the late Nicollette Yates-Keys, and a devoted niece Annunciata Johnson, which was like her daughter in every way.

Verstella was a loving and dedicated stay at home mom. She was not just a mom to her children, but to anyone who needed a mother's tender, love and care. She was the caregiver for many children in the community. She also enjoyed planning trips to the local parks, Kings Dominion, and at any given time having the neighborhood kids over for impromptu talent shows. Her most recent proudest moment was living long enough to see her granddaughter Niquisha graduating with honors and being college bound.

She loved and totally enjoyed shopping, dressing up in exotic clothes and wearing her bling-bling. In her younger years, she loved to dance and party the night away. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends and on the weekend's cookouts that had to include good food and great music. Verstella looked forward to her two favorite foods, crabs and ribs, in which she would sometimes solicit the help of others to request her husband, Herman, to cook so it would not look like she wanted it. She truly enjoyed her life to the fullest.

Although, Verstella was sometimes fussy, demanding and a little stubborn, she was mostly lovable, endearing, delightful, a lot of fun and full of excitement. She always spoke her mind and did not take any mess off anyone. She sometimes liked to let people know not to mess with her, because her niece was a police officer. Later in life when her health started to decline, she enjoyed watching game shows, the soap operas and anything on BET. In between watching her favorite TV shows, The Young and the Restless and The Family Feud, Verstella loved socializing on the phone for many hours with family and friends, and cooking yet another one of her favorite foods, hot fried chicken.

She was a devoted, loyal and active member of St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church, which she faithfully attended every Sunday until her health no longer allowed her to go. Even then, she requested family and friends to bring her the weekly church bulletin and yearly calendar. She was an active member in delivering Christmas and Easter baskets and food to the disadvantaged communities, as well as volunteering her time to the church for many other activities. There was never a day she did not pray the rosary and pray her daily devotional from her Pieta Prayer Book. Whenever someone came to her with a situation she was famous for saying, "Pray, the Lord always come through."

Verstella was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 170 in Pomonkey, MD for 38 years and for most of that time she was an active member. She volunteered her time at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and was a member of the Crystalletes Social Club that sponsored many events in the community.

Although her death was sudden and unexpected, her life did not end in vain. Her memories will live on forever because she lived her life to the fullest. Her famous words were "Live and Enjoy your Life!"

She leaves to cherish her memories to her daughter Anastasia Adams, her dedicated niece Annunciata Johnson; five grandchildren, Justin and Fabia Adams, Bryant, Niquisha and Noelle Keys; Paris Petticoles, whom she accepted at birth as her granddaughter; two sons-in-law, James Adams and Brian Keys; five God-children, Yanee Sandidge, Louise and Victoria Harley, Hazel Petticoles and Ranjit Edwards. She is also survived by her loving cousin Lorraine Anderson; special niece and nephew Renee and Renard Sandidge; seven sisters-in-law, Bertha Chisley, Omia Chisley, Jeanette Cooper, Lillian Watson, Elva Yates, Mary Yates, and LaVerne Yates; one brother-in-law, Allen Yates and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends.

Her viewing will be held from 6pm until 8pm, prayers 7:45pm on Tuesday, March 15th in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD 20640. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10am on Wednesday, March 16th, St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 30 Mattingly Avenue, Indian Head, MD 20640. Interment St. Charles Cemetery, Glymont, MD.