Mercedes Octavia Spriggs

Mercedes Octavia Spriggs was born on December 24, 1929 in Bowie, Maryland to the late James and Gladys Duckett. Mercedes, affectionately known as “Teddy” to her family, was raised in Duckettsville/Bowie, Maryland and attended Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Mercedes married the love of her life, the late Lawrence Rodell Spriggs on February 6, 1954 at Ascension Catholic Church in Bowie. The two were nearly inseparable. Seldom were times when there was one without the other. Mercedes and Rodell lived a simple life guided by faith, love and support for each other and their family. They were faithful members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Bowie for over 50 years. Mercedes was a loving, devoted wife and mother who was immensely proud of her husband of 57 years and their three daughters—Collette, Diane, and Wanda. Life was not always easy, but Mercedes believed that God would bring “sunshine in the morning” and until the end, she welcomed each day with a beautiful, heartwarming smile.

Mercedes worked in housekeeping services at Bowie State University and as a private caregiver. Following retirement, she pursued her most rewarding labor of love as caregiver for her grandchildren. Mercedes delighted in conversations with her grandchildren and she marveled in learning about their respective interests, activities, and achievements. She was a well-loved and respected family matriarch and embraced her roles as mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with heartfelt pride, love, and joy.

When Mercedes was not caring for her family, she enjoyed church service, gospel music and television talk and game shows. She treasured time with family and friends. From start to finish, she enjoyed every minute of holidays, birthdays, and other special occasion celebrations. She loved to dance and if there was music, Mercedes could be found on the dance floor!

Mercedes leaves a loving family to cherish fond memories, including her daughters—Collette Harris (William), Diane Drew, Wanda Musgrove (Lee); grandchildren Desmon, Michelle, Taryn, and Lee; and great grandchildren—Bria, Erica, Kyla, Ciera, Mikayla, Cairo, Amor, and Lalah.

In addition to her immediate family, Mercedes leaves to mourn her sisters¬—Joan Fletcher, Delcie Brown (Joseph), Cheryl Brewer, and Gloria Thompson (Sylvester); brothers—Gregory Duckett (Delores) and Walter Patten (Angela); goddaughters—Patricia Manns and Carla Nowlin; devoted caregivers¬—Patricia Hawkins, Phedocia Downs, Eloise Hicks, and Vesta Settles—and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and three siblings (James Duckett, Delores Kidwell, and Ann Rollins).