Renee A. Wortham

RENEE ANTIONETTE WORTHAM, nee Smith, was born on February 9, 1959, to Martha Jane Smith and Michael Joseph Evans in Baltimore, Maryland. She transitioned on Sunday, February 25, 2024, after a courageous four your battle. Renee was raised in the Cherry Hill and Edmondson Village communities before the family settled in Baltimore County on Fairview Road. Educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, Renee was a graduate of Southern High School, Class of 1977. She excelled in her studies. She played high school basketball. After high school, Renee attended Coppin State College. Believing she had a different path to follow, Renee, and her best friend Loraine Byrd, planned to enter the United States Airforce under the buddy system. Loraine and Renee were inseparable. Loraine passed suddenly. Devastated, Renee pressed on for them both and served for four years. While serving her country, Renee met and fell in love with Frederick “Fred” Hiram Wortham. They soon married on May 11, 1979, at Kesler Airforce Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. They settled in Memphis, Tennessee, where Fred grew up. From their union a son, Frederick “Freddie” Hiram Wortham, Jr. was born. When Renee returned home to Baltimore with Freddie, she rebuilt her life from the ground up. She attended Strayer Business College, graduating at the top of her Class. She secured an administrative secretary position with The National Conference of Christians and Jews. Always striving for better, she secured a position with the United States Post Office, becoming a second-generation employee. After many years of service, she went on to work for the State of Maryland Department of Corrections. After leaving corrections, Renee entered the medical field with the goal of becoming a nurse. Having started at the bottom before, she attended a Tech school in Hagerstown, Maryland and secured her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)/ and Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) certifications. She secured positions with Northwest Hospital, Future Care – Old Court, and several assisted living facilities. Her dream of becoming a nurse was cut short by her tragic stroke in 2019. Renee was a woman of faith. She believed in the power of prayer and prayed always. She enjoyed gospel music. On special occasions she attended Timothy Baptist Church with her mother. In June 1997, Cupid launched his arrow at Northwest Hospital Rehabilitation Facility where Renee met Gail, a nurse. Friendship developed and love blossomed. They were inseparable. They enjoyed good cuisine and traveling. In between work they took road trips, driving as far as California. They wed, on a Caribbean cruise in 2018. Gail was everything to Renee. Gail loved Renee unconditionally. Renee was secure in knowing that whatever she needed or wanted Gail provided. Together they maintained love, respect, and sobriety. Renee was family oriented. Her mother, brother and she were closeknit. She was her mother’s twin in many ways. She looked up to her brother, her protector. She and Anthony always had love for each other. She formed bonds with her paternal siblings. She was close with her sister Myra, who lived with her during her 10th grade school year. Myra described her as a supportive big sister, always there in times of need. Renee was close with her maternal cousins growing up. She was Obituary grateful for Liz’s Thanksgiving plates during her convalescence. She and Freddie spent many weekends with her Aunt Pearl who she called Aunt Pearlie. Gail’s family—parents Margaret and Richard Marshall, and her 14 siblings—loved Renee and she loved them. She was especially close with Gail’s mother. Renee enjoyed going to Florida to attend Marshall family reunions. Renee is described by her son as loving and caring, always smiling. Freddie was Renee’s pride and joy. She let you know she was proud of her son, his educational achievements in electrical engineering and the self-sufficient man he had become. She always whipped out her phone to show you his latest photos. When Freddie became a father, she always beamed as she shared her grandson’s photo’s saying, “He looks just like Freddie!” She cherished the time she was able to spend with them in Tennessee. Extended family in Memphis, Tennessee, recalls, “Peaches was a beautiful person with a big heart always smiling and laughing and making sure everyone around her was having a good time.” Renee had a big outgoing personality. She was sensitive and caring. You couldn’t ask for a better friend. Renee was hardworking and tenacious. Whatever she put her mind to she could accomplish. Renee was good-looking, tall, with a model figure. She liked to “rag”. Renee was a Fashionista. She kept her hair and nails done. Renee had to have a new outfit, from head to toe, for every occasion. She could “rock” a hat. She lived for Saturday, “shop till you drop” excursions with her mother. Renee had a variety of hobbies and interests. She enjoyed a good party and liked to attend local clubs, especially the Woodstock on Park Heights Avenue where her brother, D.J. Chicken, rocked the dance floor. Whenever he played her favorite song, I Feel for You, by Chaka Khan, the dance floor belonged to Renee. She enjoyed roller skating. She, Freddie, and her sister Myra went skating on weekends at Putty Hill Skating Rink. Renee enjoyed horticulture. She took pride in her plants. She enjoyed sports, football, and tennis, she liked the Williams sisters, Venus, and Serena. Renee loved many things in life, amongst them was her blue Camero—she was proud of the car purchase, and her support dog, Precious. Renee’s favorite color was blue. Her favorite saying was, Keep it Real. Renee will be remembered for her one-of-a-kind personality, her beautiful smile, and her loving and caring nature. Renee is preceded in death by her parents, Mrs. Martha S. Nobles and Michael Evans, Sr., siblings, Angela Evans, Gerald Evans, and Myron Evans; stepfather, Marvin Nobles; and sisters-in law, Mary, and Dorothy Marshall. We thank and praise God for the life of our beloved Renee Antionette Wortham. We are grateful for the love she shared with us. We will celebrate her life, work, and time with us always. She leaves to cherish her memory: life partner and soulmate, Gail D. Marshall; son, Frederick “Freddie” Hiram Wortham, Jr.; stepson, Richard Marshall; grandchildren, Avon Nasir Wortham; and Raheem, Rakwan, and Richard, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Landen and Legend Marshall; maternal brother, Anthony D. Smith, paternal siblings, Myra “Mimi” Person (Keith), Michaeal Evans, Jr., Mark Evans, and Quentin Black; stepsiblings, Kevin, Karen “Roxanne”, Sheila, Darlene, and Maria; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Johnnie, Regina, Julie, Teresa, Benjamin, Veronica, Lucy, Catherine, Lisa, James, Carl, and Mark; 1 maternal niece and 2 maternal nephews, Hannah, Antonio, and Benjamin Smith; 13 paternal nieces and nephews; Aunt, Pearl Smith; a host of cousins; brothers and sisters from Myra’s and Myron’s mother, Cynthia, Caroline, and Eric Birden; Fairview Road neighbor and friend, Tracye “Amira Saran” Howard; and a host of other relatives and friends

Tributes

Renee A. Wortham

February 9, 1959 - February 25, 2024