Shirley Ann Sorrell

Shirley Ann (Lincoln) Sorrell, 73, of Brandywine, passed away on February 21, 2023. She was born on August 27, 1949, to the late George F. and Josephine (Fox) Lincoln in Cheverly, Maryland, and spent most of her life in her childhood home in Riverdale, Maryland.

Shirley was proceeded in death by her sons Steven (infant), Russell, and George E. Lincoln; a great-granddaughter Layla (born sleeping); two sisters: Carol A. Lincoln and Jean Brady; two brothers: Edward and George J. Lincoln; 3 brothers-in-law: Chester Sigler, John Brady, and Walter Green; a sister-in-law Cheryl Lincoln; a niece, Christina Lopez; and two nephews: Shawn Crew and Kenneth Brady.

She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca (Paul) Crawford; 6 grandsons: Justin (Denise) Totten, Troy Lincoln, Russell (Jasmine) Lincoln, Brandon (Tina) Crawford, Seth Lincoln, and Jaxson Johnson-Lincoln; a granddaughter-in-heart, Victoria Mattingly; 3 great-granddaughters: Lacey, Trinity, and Jenise; 3 great-grandsons: Troy Jr., Dallas, and Grayson; 3 grandchildren-in-heart: Josiah, Ziyonna, and Armando; 4 sisters: Joyce Sigler, Brenda (Bob) Wolfrey, Gale Green, and Karen Lincoln; 3 brothers: Paul (Cecilia) Lincoln, Timothy Lincoln, and Daniel (JoAnne) Lincoln; a paternal aunt: Carolyn Hayes; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Shirley was a strong woman who found herself working in a male dominated profession repairing vacuum cleaners and sewing machines at Hyattsville Sew & Vac. Her neighbor and good friend, Cassandra Richards, told her about the position in the 1980s and Mr. & Mrs. Peele hired her on the spot. She continued in the position for decades even when it transferred hands to Mr. & Mrs. Rhine and later to its current owner. When asked about her job she would cheerily say it “sucks and blows.” Prior to working as a repair person, she also worked various jobs including working in a book bindery.

She grew-up in a large, loving family, with 5 brothers and 6 sisters. It is of no doubt that her biggest joy was found with her family. She learned early on that it “takes a village” to raise children and she did her part watching most of her young nieces and nephews, while raising her own children. Shirley also found joy in food and cooking. Until recently you would find her in the kitchen for every major holiday or family function, whipping-up an extravagant meal while also baking dozens of homemade pies of all kinds for her family. She also had a talent for baking cakes, which she created happily for birthdays and other family functions. Shirley always made a place at the table for everyone. No one would go hungry on her watch.

Her other love was the beach. She spent many hours sunbathing and walking the shoreline of Assateague Island National Seashore in Virginia. Over the years she collected dozens of conch shells that she found while wading in the ocean during low tide. There was no doubt that she enjoyed the solace that her family campsite at Trails End provided her and would escape the daily grind almost every weekend. But she also made it a habit to share her favorite spot with her family, including her children and grandchildren. She relished the opportunity to take people down to the beach with her.

Shirley had a quick wit and a contagious smile. Her memory will live on in the hearts, minds, and faces of her family. It will live in the minds of the nurses and hospital staff that grew to love her as much as her own family. It will live in perpetuity in the sand, waves, and sunsets of her beloved seashore.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:00 am, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1283 Odenton, Road, Odenton, MD 21113.

Interment will be private.