Dr. Lionel A. Desbordes

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that a charitable donation be made in honor of Dr. Lionel A. Desbordes to: Myrtle Tyler Faithful fund: P.O box 26402 Gwynn Oak, MD 21207 OR CashApp: $MTFFAZ1 Dr. Lionel A. Desbordes was born on November 18,1923 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late George Peter and Alice Hebrard Desbordes. Lionel, affectionally known to his friends as "Des", peacefully passed away on the morning of November 27, 2020. His early years were spent in New Orleans where he was the fifth of ten children. He was predeceased by siblings Calvert Desbordes, Anita Clax, Geraldine Echols, Clarence Desbordes, Alice Barnes and Bernadine Desbordes. He is survived by sisters Lorraine Desbordes of New Orleans, LA, Agnes McKay of Carson CA, and his brother Fabian Desbordes, DDS of Pikesville, MD (Phyllis Desbordes). His brothers and sisters often commented on how gifted he was making things with his hands. He would make toys from tin and wood that his brothers and sisters and the neighborhood children would enjoy. Lionel graduated from McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School where he had the highest-grade point average in his senior class, but was awarded the salutatorian honor. McDonogh 35 was the first and only public four-year high school for African Americans in New Orleans for those that wanted to pursue an education past the eighth grade at the time. After High School, he matriculated at Dillard University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. In 1948, he moved to Washington D.C. and lived with his older sister Geraldine Echols while attending Howard University Medical School. He graduated in 1951. He completed his internship and residency at DC General Hospital, Washington DC, Harlem Hospital, New York, NY, and Freedmen’s Hospital, Washington DC. Upon completion of his training Lionel was Board Certified as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. He later became a Diplomat of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Lionel was one of a group of African American physicians that co-founded the Garwyn Medical Center on Garrison Blvd, in Baltimore. The medical office center served the Baltimore Community with multiple medical specialists and continues to do so today. His private practice moved from Baker Street to Garwyn in 1967 where he continued seeing patients until 1995 when he closed his practice. During those years he had privileges at St. Agnes Hospital, Maryland General Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Provident Hospital, and Sinai Hospital. He continued to practice medicine with the Baltimore City Health Department by going to work at various clinics in Frederick, MD and the City of Baltimore. At the age of 82, Lionel completely retired in 2005. At one point it was estimated that he delivered over 20,000 children during his career. While working in New York, his friends Dr. Samuel and Barbara Owings introduced him to Geraldine Lavenia Faithful. It was immediate love and they wed on June 8, 1963 at the family home of his bride in Flushing, Ohio. From this union two sons were born, Lionel Desbordes II and Byron Desbordes. Lionel was married to Geri for 45 years until her passing in January of 2009. Des enjoyed organizing events that allowed family and friends to get together. He originated the Desbordes Family reunions, first at his home on Norfolk Avenue and then having the reunions travel to locations around the United States where his siblings resided. However, every other reunion had to return to their birthplace in New Orleans. On Christmas day, he would organize a phone call where all ten siblings would be on the line and everyone would get a chance to wish a Merry Christmas to one another. Every year they would end the call by singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Lionel enjoyed organizing his own birthday parties at his home and going to the Preakness with friends. As a season ticket holder to Baltimore Colt and Bullet games he enjoyed attending with his young sons. He was very proud of his New Orleans roots and would help host an annual Mardi Gras party with fellow New Orleanians that lived in the Baltimore area that called themselves the "Mardi Gras Friends". He served in the Army from 1956 to 1958 where he was stationed in Germany. Des belonged to various organizations including the National Medical Association, the MeDeSo Club, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. At various points in his life he took up an assortment of hobbies. He enjoyed creating acrylic abstract paintings, playing tennis, playing bridge, bowling with the "Emanons", caring for his plants, and making his infamous Banana bread pudding. Lionel is survived by his sons, Lionel II (Sheryl Jacob Desbordes) Ellicott City, MD, Byron Desbordes DDS (Minyette Young Desbordes) Columbia, MD, and David Desbordes, GA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nichelle, Byron II, and Kennedy Desbordes, and a host of nieces and nephews.

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Dr. Lionel A. Desbordes

November 18, 1923 - November 27, 2020