Vonda Lawan Briddell

Vonda Lawan Briddell, 70, of Berlin Maryland, transitioned on Thursday, January 25, 2024, while at home.
Vonda was educated in the Worcester County Public Schools System. She was among the first Black students who attended Stephen Decatur High School as a member of the Class of 1971. She attended and graduated from Maryland State University ( UMES ). Vonda's teaching career started at Malcom X Shabazz as a substitute teacher in Newark, New Jersey. She taught health and physical education at Vailsburg High, West Kenny High School Redirection, until retirement.
Vonda helped with various after school programs. She genuinely cared about her students and always had a positive attitude and instilled the same in her students. The kids she taught came from tough neighborhoods. She always found a way to connect with her students. She simply loved what she did, and the kids loved her. Vonda came back to her hometown to live and continued to do what she loved best, working as a substitute teacher for Worcester County Public Schools system.
Vonda will be remembered for her loving, sweet caring ways. She was always ready to help anyone in whatever way she could. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She leaves to cherish loving memories, her parents, Emma G Briddell and John C. Briddell, her sisters, Phyllis Antoinette King (Joseph), Rev. Dr. Helen B. Lockwood (David), Velda Henry (Patrick), and a brother, John Dale Smack III, adopted sister, Antoinette Johnson (Antoine), special sister, Roberta Ringer, special friends, Faith Drummond, Deborah Farlow, Rebecca Robbins, Glendola Bowen and Bernida Ferriera, adopted daughter, Monique Dupree, two aunts, Grace Purnell of Berlin, MD, and Sarah G. Smith of Philadelphia, PA, nieces, Dionne Castleberry of Frederick, MD, Elander Flood of North Carolina, nephews, David (DJ) Lockwood Jr. of Berlin, MD, William Clark III of Burlington, Vermont, and Thomas Fooks, a special grandnephew, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Note: Howell & Jolley Memorial Chapel, P.A. will comply with the COVID-19 rules regarding masks. Therefore, anyone attending the viewing and/or funeral services must wear a mask.
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