Mary Ann Custis

Her Story

On July 27, 2025, the Lord gently called his beloved child, Mary Ann Custis, home to eternal rest in Philadelphia the blessed age of 93 years. Mary was born on April 19th, 1932, to the late Lloyd McKinley Upshur and Roxie ElizabethJohnson in Franktown, Virginia. Mary was the oldest of seven children. Mary met and married the late Charles Edward Custis on October 13. 1947, and from that union, they had eight children.

Mary received her education in the public schools of Northampton County, Virginia. She accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Bethel Baptist Church with her grandmother, Annie Goodman. In 1960, Mary moved to Philadelphia with her late husband, Charles Edward Custis, where she cared for their eight children at home. After her children began school in Philadelphia, Mary took on various jobs. It wasn't until all her children were adults that she moved back to Virginia in the 1980s to help our father pursue their dream of renovating their home. It was then that Mary rejoined Bethel Baptist Church in Virginia, where she was a dedicated member. Later, she returned to work while caring for our father during his extensive illness until he passed away, but eventually, Mary retired from Northampton Accomack Memorial Hospital. In 2020, Mom moved back to Philadelphia due to health challenges.

Our mom made us feel incredibly loved and extended that same warmth to everyone she met. She was dedicated to her family, neighbors, and everyone who crossed her path, making everyone feel welcome. When the Lord called her home to heaven, he took an angel. Mom fully embraced life, cherishing time spent with her children, enjoying meals together, playing cards and board games, and sharing laughter and conversations about life. Our mom had so much fun with her two friends when they were in their early 80s, Bessie K. Wynn, and Dorothy M. Kates [preceded her in death], also known as the Golden Girls.

Preceded her in death was our father, Charles Edward Custis: two sons, John Henry and Lawrence Edward Custis; two daughters, Anne Mac Jones-MacAyettey, and Evonne Custis; three grandchildren, Donte Jones, Kevin Custis, and Keasha Custis; her brother Kenard Upshur, and two sisters Martha Fenderson, and Eddie Upshur Smith.

Mary is survived by her loving family, which includes her children: Mary Custis-Baysmore, Debra Custis-Huntley, Sandra Custis-Huntley (Gardner), and Cherylene Custis~Lassiter (Jasper); three sisters, Emma Trowers, Edna Beckett (James), and Anna Upshur; nineteen grandchildren; a host or great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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