Mary 'Dreama' Aldreama Strader Merritt, 71
Mary "Dreama" Aldreama Strader Merritt was a helper, a dreamer, a traveler and above all a lover of people. She left this world suddenly on February 25, 2023.
She was born to Mary Wilson Strader and George Henry Strader, Sr. in Danville Virginia on December 3, 1951. At the age of two months her family moved to Washington D.C., where she would become a proud product of D.C. Public Schools. In elementary school she was the featured performer in school musicals and earned the opportunity to perform at the National Cathedral as the featured soloist. While attending Brown Jr. High School, she was taught music by the famed musician Roberta Flack. Mary was a graduate of Ballou High School in Southeast D.C.
At the age of 12 she was baptized at greater Mt Pisgah Baptist Church, where she was a soloist in the junior choir. Her rendition of "How Great Thou Art" would excite the congregation bringing them to their feet. In 1990, she and her family joined Mt. Zion AME Church in Dover, Delaware where she was a member for over 30 years. She served as President of the Stewardess Board for over 20 years and was also a member of the Lay Organization, Nancy C. Perry Missionary Society, The Archives Committee, a Class Leader and the Women of Bloom Women's Ministry. She also served as the facilitator of the Church's five-year Strategic Planning Committee.
She received a BA in Sociology from Delaware State University. She also earned a master's degree and completed doctoral courses at the University of Maryland. At DSU she became a member of the Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. After graduation she joined Epsilon Iota Omega graduate chapter where she served as Basileus for several years. She is now a life member of the Sorority.
It was at Delaware State University that she met her soon to be husband, of 49 years, Robert. In 1984 they became the proud parents of their son, Michael. They were determined to be the best parents ever. Mary was a Cub Scout Den Mother, PTO Officer and a devoted soccer mom. She prided herself on being the loudest cheer in the stadium and on any soccer field. She was elected for a five-year term on the Capital School District Board of Education serving one year as the Board President.
She worked for 30 years at Delaware State University in the career planning office. Mary served on numerous committees including Middle States and other institutional internal and external reviews. After retiring from DSU, she became a successful executive leader raising millions of dollars for large and small non-profit organizations including the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Mary enjoyed planning events from family reunions and local fashion shows to regional walks/cycling events and large charity balls at foreign embassies in Washington, D.C.
In her youth, Mary studied French which led to her desire to become a world traveler and learn about other cultures. She and her family traveled to Senegal, France, Turkey, Japan, England, Spain, Greece, Italy, Mexico, and the U.A.E. Mary was a lover of shoes and collected a pair from every country she visited. She also enjoyed her annual birthday trips to New York City with her family and friends. Small shop keepers on Delancey Street in New York looked forward to these annual shopping sprees as well.
Mary had a joyful personality and touched the lives of everyone around her. She will forever be remembered for the joy she bought to the world and will be deeply missed. Mary is survived by her husband, Robert; her son, Michael (Jazmine); her parents, George and Mary; her brother, George Jr. (Avis); and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 am, Monday, March 6, 2023 at Mt. Zion AME Church, 101 N. Queen St. Dover, DE 19904. A Public Viewing will be held 4 – 6 pm, Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services, 518 S. Bay Rd. Dover, DE 19901. A second Public Viewing will be held one hour prior to the formal home going service. Interment will be in the National Harmony Memorial, Hyattsville, MD.
Evan W. Smith Funeral Services
www.ewsmithfs.com