Memorial Biographies

Nolan Ray Scully was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on November 16, 2015. From the moment he was diagnosed, our silly little 3-year-old changed into the most heroic warrior (with an infectious laugh) anyone had ever seen! He faced every poke, every sedation, every chemotherapy, every radiation, every major surgery (and all of the minor procedures) with the most amazingly positive attitude! He never once complained, and he ALWAYS tried his best to take care of his family and friends right through to the end! Sadly Nolan's Cancer became resistant to available treatment options and ultimately spread through his little body.  "Sgt. Rollin Nolan" Scully won his battle against this monster on February 4, 2017 at only 4 years old after 16 months of enduring extremely aggressive treatment options. Nolan lived and died with dignity, and love and touched hearts all over the world. He was so special and the true meaning of a HERO!  

Sponsored by Alpha Beta Chapter, Delta Kapa Gamma Society International, the Frances Lancaster Grant for Teacher Education is awarded annually to assist pre-service teachers with undergraduate educational pursuits. This award was established in 1983 in memory of Frances Elizabeth Lancaster, a St. Mary’s County Public Schools educator and a founding member of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Mrs. Lancaster arrived in St. Mary’s County in 1965 when her husband, Howard, was transferred to Patuxent River Naval Air Station. As a Navy wife, she taught at overseas bases including Morocco and Guantanamo Bay,as well as in elementary schools in four states before settling here. As a St. Mary’s County educator, she taught at Mechanicsville, Benjamin Banneker, Oakville, White Marsh and Greenview Knolls Elementary Schools.  Mrs. Lancaster was one of the first county reading specialists.  She served in this position for eight years, helping numerous teachers increase their reading instruction skills.

Mrs. Lancaster was active in the De La Brooke Fox Hounds W Hunt Club and she worshiped at Lexington Park United Methodist Church

William L. Smith Jr. was born 04 January 1989 at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD to Jeanne M. Smith, USN and William L. Smith Sr life long resident of Scotland, MD.  So, of course Will and his brother Tim were raised in rural, Scotland, MD, otherwise known, as God’s Country! Will attended Ridge Elementary, Spring Ridge Middle School & of course Great Mills High School, where he graduated as a Scholar Athlete in June of 2007 FOREVER A HORNET after 19 years on this earth, Will’s life was cut short by a violent act and was laid to rest on 28 September 2008.  

Love of St. Mary’s county was only matched by his love for his faith, family and of course Basketball, which goes back to when he was 2 yrs old and running after his dad on the gym floor, in Edzell, Scotland, UK. He had a basketball in his hands ever since and never put it down.   Will’s personality made him a lot of friends both out in the community and on the Football field, Baseball diamond and Basketball court, both in High School and College, but most important was the respect he showed to everyone he meet both classmates and teachers alike, he would help anyone anytime in the classroom and out.  He would look you in the eye, put his hand out and with that ever present “Will smile”  say Hi I’m Will what’s up son, to adults it was Hi my name is William. 

Where ever he was and whoever he was with that SMILE was ever present.  In that spirit his Dad, his brother, myself, and the whole Smith family started this Scholarship in his name, in hope that the recipient of this scholarship, steps of the Athletic Field, out of the Classroom and step into the Community with a Positive and How can I help you Attitude.

Gertrude Augusta Huster, of Carmel Indiana, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2023. Gertrude was born April 5, 1960, in Leonardtown MD, and attended schools in Charles County MD. She earned dual BS degrees in Statistics and Math from Virginia Tech (VT) after receiving a scholarship for Minorities (Women in STEM) with financial need. She then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Biostatistics from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Gertrude has “paid it forward” by funding two Legacy gifts to support the education of women and minorities in STEM-related fields.  On October 18, 1986, Gertrude married William J. Huster, Sr. (Bill) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bryantown MD. She and Bill moved to Carmel in 1992 with their growing family. Gertrude was a compassionate soul who put her faith and family first in her life. She referred to herself as a “realistic optimist” and exuded positive energy. Her beautiful smile and grit and determination were infectious. She received the college scholarship to VT from the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD. While attending VT, she co-opped at the Anti-Submarine Warfare Department (ASW). At the time, she was the only
woman in the department working in a STEM-related field. Through her perseverance and determination and her desire to travel, she worked hard to become part of ASW flight crew, learning to swim despite not knowing
much more than how to doggy paddle. Gertrude had a desire to use Statistics for the benefit of others and, when she took a Cultural Geography course in college, she found her calling. She knew then she wanted to get a degree in Public Health and to pursue research. She first worked for Gastroenterology and the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama Birmingham and later worked at the University of Cincinnati in Cardiovascular research with Drs. Brott and Broderick on Stroke research. Upon moving to Carmel, she continued her research and was the liaison between the School of Nursing and the Department of Biostatistics as well as the Manager of the Master’s-level Biostatistics staff providing mentorship and guidance to Master’s-level statisticians. She co-authored many publications, most notably her work with Dr. Joan Austin on Children with Epilepsy. She left this position in 1998 after the birth of her fifth child and settled into the life Manager of Minors (MOM).  Those who knew Gertrude best knew she loved to sing, coach, and contribute to her community. For 28 years she served in the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC). Gertrude will be recognized by many at OLMC as a Cantor at the 8 am Mass. She was an active volunteer for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), OLMC Thanksgiving basket drive, and Relay for Life of Carmel, just to name a few. She coached CYO kickball and volleyball, opening each game with a prayer to St. Sebastian, the Patron Saint of Athletes to encourage sportsmanship. Her family history of Breast Cancer and Bone Cancer led to her involvement with Relay for Life where she served as a team captain from 2011 to 2017.