Delores Ann Spence

Delores Ann Spence of Eden, Maryland, went home to be with the Lord at the age of seventy-one on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Tidal Health in Salisbury, Maryland. "Delores", Ann", and "Aunt Ann", as she was affectionately known by family and friends, was the oldest of eight children, born on July 21, 1954, to the late Archie "Glendon" Jones and the late Viola Bivens Jones.

Delores was educated in the public school system of Somerset County, Maryland. She graduated from Washington High School in 1972, and attended Maryland State College, now known as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. At an early age, Delores went to live next door with her aunt and uncle Marion and Glenmore Cannon who had no children of their own. While living with them, Delores obtained a strong work ethic as she learned about farm life by feeding and caring for many animals and learning to grow and care for a variety of crops such as beets, tomatoes, corn, string beans, and pears, to name a few. During this time, Delores' love of cooking and baking developed.

Delores' work ethic was evidenced by the many certificates of perfect attendance received while she was in school and during her time working on the job. Delores began working at Peninsula General Hospital (PGH), now known as Tidal Health, as a volunteer in 1970. In 1973, Delores began her first "paying job" as a nursing assistant, a role she served in for a few years. In 1979, she was part of the team that opened the old C2 unit, which featured its own assortment of patients and challenges. Delores was promoted along the way to unit coordinator/unit secretary, where she taught newly oriented unit secretaries. During her tenure, promotions followed, and Delores served as surgical services secretary, surgical posting secretary, nursing scheduling coordinator, admitting officer and staffing coordinator, where she had been since 1993. Over the years, Delores received numerous awards and accolades. In addition to working at the hospital, Delores also owned a cleaning business and worked at the Holly Center in Salisbury, MD. At the time of Delores's passing, she had been actively employed for over 51 years.

Delores loved baking pies and cakes and preparing various types of foods for large and small gatherings. She did not know you as a stranger, but as a friend, and always had something to share with you when you visited her home. To know her was to love her; for you had a friend for life. Delores loved to travel and spend time with her family and friends. Delores enjoyed the monthly outings with her Birthday Club ladies and the family gatherings. All the people who knew Delores often heard her speak of her boys – Michael the chef, Martel her uber driver, and the apple of her eye – Brycen, the soccer player. Delores loved all her family and people and put their happiness and wellbeing above hers. Anyone that knew Delores would say she was unique.

Delores loved going to church and listening to music. In her early years, Delores attended St. Mark United Methodist Church in Oakville, Maryland, and later attended Flower Hill United Methodist Church in Eden, Maryland. In 1996, she became a member of New Psalmist Non-Denominational Church in Westover, Maryland. Delores loved working with the kitchen ministry, the missionaries, and other committees within the church. Delores served faithfully until her health slowed her down a few weeks ago.

Delores leaves to cherish her memory - five sisters; Glenda Sinclair (Nathaniel) of Salisbury, MD; Cherry Doane, Margaret Jones, Marian Dennis (Leroy), Gertrude Hairston (Darryl), and one brother, Glendon Jones, Jr.; all of Princess Anne, MD; one sister-in-law, Annette Jones; one aunt, Joan Cannon, three special cousins - Orlando McGibboney, Jr., Mary Johnson, and Lyndell Taylor; several special friends Etta Blake, Estelle Hutt, Shondra Mills, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, friends and co-workers who loved her dearly.

In addition to her parents, Delores was preceded in death by her daughter, LaShawn Spence, her brother, Richard A. Jones, Sr., Glenmore and Marion Cannon who were like parents to her, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Lovingly Submitted – The Family