Please click the link to view the Obituary: https://lifeandlegacyofcarriecrankcephus.my.canva.site/

Carrie Lee Cokley Crank Cephus, lovingly called “Dell/Mama/Mother, Ma-Ma or Grandma”, was born on May 13, 1933 in Kingstree, South Carolina. After time, she made her way to California and of course, Baltimore, MD. Living 92 years and 352 days, She impacted countless individuals personally, professionally, and academically. She was a feisty leader but one of the sweetest givers on the planet.

Mrs. Cephus was a member of Cherry Hill United Methodist Church for well over 60 years. Under the leadership of Rev. James H. Wooten, Mrs. Carrie lead many church auxiliaries such as the Ways & Means Committee, food distribution services, pastoral parish, and contributor of creating the daycare just to name a few. With a limited 8th grade education, she was able to acquire positions in companies such as Baltimore Luggage, Southern Bell/Western Electric, Baltimore City Schools, and Martin Marietta/Locheed Martin. She believed in the importance of not only maintaining a job but education as well. At the age of 69, she went back to school to get her G.E.D and immediately enrolled into BCCC, where she obtained her Associates of Arts Degree at the age of 71. When asked why she decided to return to school, she often expressed that if she could do it at 71, then no one in her family could have an excuse not to.

Mrs. Carrie Crank-Cephus was the granddaughter of Mrs. Emma Sabb, the origin and root of the familial presence at Cherry Hill United Methodist Church (preceded in death), daughter of Ethel & Samuel Cokley (preceded in death), wife of Major Louis C. Cephus (preceded in death), mother of Shirley L. Parker (prece in death), Raymond L. Crank (wife Jacqueline Crank), Dr. Diana Hawkins, and also helped raised grandchildren, Wayne Bushrod and Danice Holloway Wilson-Bates (wife of Ernest L. Bates, Jr.-who assisted in the care of her oldest brother, Leroy Henry and her until her demise). She was the 2nd oldest child but oldest daughter of 13 who all preceeded her in death with the exception of Harry Cokley, Letha Mae Wilson, & Leslie Williamson, 10 grandchildren: Wayne Bushrod, Serena Bushrod, Delon Bushrod, & Lystra Ali-Houchens, Dana Crank, Daron Crank, Damon Crank, Carrie Lee Crank (preceded in death), & Raena Crank, and Danice Holloway Wilson-Bates. She also has a host of great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritually adopted children, other family members and friends.

She loved us all through FIVE LIVING GENERATIONS until GOD called her home on April 29, 2026. She was the epitome of a Matriarch who has earned the right to hear, “WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL SERVANT!”