Fannie W. Birckhead

Snow Hill

Fannie W. Birckhead, a lifelong resident of Snow Hill, Maryland, died at her home on Feb. 9, 2022.

A daughter of the shore, Mrs. Birckhead loved her community and lived her life embodying her favorite Margaret Mead quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Mrs. Birckhead was educated in Worcester County public schools, attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and College Park and held certificates in geriatric nursing and cosmetology. She was a longstanding member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Snow Hill.

Mrs. Birckhead always gave of her time and talents. Volunteering was her life’s work.

She was an enthusiastic volunteer for a myriad of civic and community organizations including life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Snow Hill Citizens for Decent Housing; Worcester County Alcohol and Other Drug Task Force; Worcester County Voter Rights Coalition; state liaison – Worcester County Extension; Worcester County Cedar Chapel Special School Advisory Board; treasurer of Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home Scholarship fund; treasurer of House Hold of Ruth #1629; Eastern Star Lily of the Valley #24; and March of Dimes, Walk America Program.

If this was not enough, you might find her at a food bank. She enjoyed giving and volunteered with the programs and activities for Community Advancement (P.A.C.A.) Food Bank in Snow Hill. As a breast cancer survivor, she was an avid supporter of the American Cancer Society.

For more than 20 years, Mrs. Birckhead, with her family, cleaned a two mile stretch of road just outside Snow Hill, four times a year as part of the Maryland Adopt a Highway Program. And every Christmas season, she served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, even through covid this past December.

She served as the chairwoman of SHORE UP!, Inc. Board of Directors from 1992-2002, championing improvements to education and expanding safe, decent, and affordable housing for people living on the Eastern Shore.

During her chairmanship, the agency built homes in Pocomoke City and elderly housing in Princess Anne; built new Adult Day Care Centers in Westover and Salisbury; established a Family Support Center in Salisbury; and made many other strides to support underserved communities. In service to the board, she served on the National Head Start Association organization.

In 2014, Governor O’Malley presented her with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her contributions to the citizens of Maryland and community involvement.

Among her many honors are the Maryland Community Action Agency Hall of Fame, Tri-County Martin Luther King Volunteer of the Year Award, Volunteer of the Year – Maryland Association of Community Action Agencies, The Greater Salisbury Committee Leader Development Award, Maryland Department of Education Outstanding Volunteer Award, and Certificate for Meritorious Service from the town of Snow Hill.

The diversity of Mrs. Birckhead’s background is remarkable.

Mrs. Birckhead started her career working at Campbell Soup in Salisbury, eventually becoming a supervisor. However, she was known far and wide for her Avon Sales, earning her way on the President’s Club and the Albee Award for more than 30 years with Avon.

And in 1998, just to fill out her schedule, Mrs. Birckhead became a seasonal employee of the Ocean City Department of Transportation, becoming the first African American to drive the Boardwalk train, a job she absolutely loved and where she made lifelong friends with the visitors and other staff.

Mrs. Birckhead especially loved working with children. For many years, she worked for Worcester County Schools as a substitute teacher and home hospital tutor. And, once she decided that she and her family had so much to share, she became a foster parent for a child in need.

Mrs. Birckhead’s longstanding commitment to her community and its residents, regardless of race, religion, gender, sex, or creed led her to becoming the Worcester County Orphans’ Court Judge in 1998.

While in office, she became a member of the Maryland Association of Judges of the Orphans Court. As the first African American to be elected to any countywide office in Worcester County, this was not her first stint in public office, and it was only one of her many firsts.

In 1998, prior to her election to the Orphans’ Court seat, Mrs. Birckhead was interim mayor for the Town of Snow Hill; making her the first African American female mayor on the Eastern Shore.

Mrs. Birckhead became interested in running for public office when she worked as a poll watcher and then later while serving on the Board of Election Supervisors. After the formation of Snow Hill’s new western district, two friends approached her to run for the seat on the Town Council.

With a commitment “to serve to the best of my ability and listen to the people,” Mrs. Birckhead was elected to serve her community for six terms.

During her time in office, she championed many significant projects for her beloved hometown including the redevelopment of the former elementary school for senior citizen housing, the development of a housing subdivision for the elderly, and the renovation of a railroad station for public meeting space.

In an interview, she was quoted as saying, “I have a vested interest in what goes on here.” She went on to add that the members of the council worked together to serve the entire community, “even though we disagree at times.”

Always fighting for equality, early in her political career, Mrs. Birckhead was named as a plaintiff in a successful lawsuit by the NAACP and ACLU challenging the racial fairness of the Worcester County at-large election system.

The federal court would strike down Maryland’s system for electing state legislators from the Eastern Shore. The lawsuit was filed as part of a larger complaint against Maryland’s redistricting plan; the suit was the first part of the larger case to go to trial.

In 2003, Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr. appointed her to the Judicial Nominating Commission. Among her other appointments was the Snow Hill Ethics Commission to make determinations about complaints alleging violations of the ethics ordinances.

Known by her family as Mommy or Naya, her love for her daughters and grandchildren was without question.

In the early years, Yogi Bear Campgrounds with the family camper were a staple. Mommy was teacher, coach, scout leader, cookie chair, and talent agent.

She traveled with her girls across the country and world and especially loved visiting Anchorage and Prince William Sound, cruising the Caribbean, or relaxing for a week in Florida during the winter. However, one of her most memorable trips was to South Korea and traversing the subway.

In these last years, visiting with her family brought her the most pleasure.

Mrs. Birckhead leaves to mourn: her beloved daughters, Brigadier General Janeen L. Birckhead (Craig Morton) and Nicolle Birckhead-Thompson; one stepson, Lewis C. Birckhead, Jr. (Norma); three brothers, Lester Ward (Cassandra), Nathaniel Ward, Sr. (Irene) and Alexander Ward, Sr. (Joyce); one sister-in-law, Alice Birckhead; four grandchildren, Craig L. Birckhead-Morton, Lindsay N. Birckhead-Morton, McKenna J. Birckhead-Thompson and Phyllis Birckhead; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, in-laws, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis C. Birckhead; her parents, Frank and Beatrice Ward; five sisters, Louise Ward Dale, Madelyn Waters, Pauline Ward, Doretha Ward, and Lillie Mae Ward (her twin sister); three brothers, Frank Ward, Jr., Raymond Ward, and Randolph Ward; and her son-in-law, Millard A. Thompson.

Dear reader, here are words Mommy lived by and what she would leave us with, “I have learned that there is no well-cut path to the future; so develop a forward-looking approach. This will enable a sense of direction and concern that allows one to address issues that affect all people. Strive daily to maintain the integrity, competence and honesty that is needed when one seeks to improve their life as well as the lives of others.”

Family visitation was held Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, at Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home, P.A. in Salisbury. A graveside service was held Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery in Snow Hill.

Please visit www.lewisnwatsonfuneralhome.com to offer condolences to the family.