News and Views

Helen Mabel Ola Timity, 79, the wife of the Rev. Roland J.R. Timity, a retired Elder, died Jan. 10, 2017. A wake was held Feb. 10 at St. Mark UMC in Hanover and a Celebration of Life at Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City Feb. 11.

Helen Mabel Ola Johnson Timity was born Jan. 15,1938, in York Village in the Western area of Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa.  Her education began at the York Amalgamated Elementary School. She went on to the Methodist Girls’ High School at Wilberforce Village in Freetown. After impressively graduating two years early, she entered Fourah Bay College in the Teacher Training Department and attained the Teacher’s Certificate in Elementary Education.

After joining her husband in the United States, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of the District of Columbia. She did  graduate study at Howard University and received a Master’s Degree in Education.  She retired from teaching at Southgate Elementary School in the Anne Arundel County School System.

Her husband pastored a number of churches from 1970 until his retirement in 2005. These included St. Paul UMC in Oxon Hill, 1970-76; St. Paul-Westphalia Charge, 1976-79 and Westphalia alone until 1983; St. Mark UMC in Hanover, 1983-89 when he was appointed to Ryland-Epworth. In 1992, he began serving Mt. Zion UMC in Annapolis and stayed until his retirement in 2005.

Helen Timity belonged to many organizations including: The Methodist Girls’ High School Old Girls Association, Washington Metropolitan Chapter, USA Branch, of which she served as Vice President and President; the Mothers’ Union Washington Metropolitan Area Branch.  She was a former member of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, the Maryland State Teachers Association, and the National Education Association.  She was a member of the Maryland Retired Teachers Association and the Anne Arundel County Retired Teachers Association.  Timity is included in the “Who’s Who” Among America’s Teachers 2003-2004 for educational excellence.

 A daughter, Theodora preceded her in death.  

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, the Rev. Dr. Roland J. R. Timity; three daughters, Theresa, Tabitha (Samad) and Marion; two sons, Theophilus (Tonia) and Harold; and six grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Roland Timity, 1904 Sheffield Court, Severn, MD 21144-1509.