Zadye Williams, 89, Hopkins Hospital employeeZadye...

Zadye Williams, 89, Hopkins Hospital employee

Zadye Williams, a retired Johns Hopkins Hospital employee and a churchwoman, died Wednesday at Keswick Multi-Care Center of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She was 89.

She was born Zadye Lula Huntington in Thomasville, Ala., the youngest of 11 children. Her father, a Christian Methodist Episcopal minister, died when she was young. Her mother, a domestic worker, made sure that all the children were educated.

She received a high school diploma from Payne University, a religious school in Selma, Ala., attended Tuskegee Institute from 1929 to 1931 and received a bachelor's degree from Alabama State College in 1941.

An elementary school teacher for more than 15 years in Bibb County, Ala., she lived with a sister and helped raise a niece, Anne O. Emery, now of Baltimore.

In 1945, she married Walter Williams. After World War II, the couple moved to Baltimore -- already home to much of her extended family. Her husband, a federal worker, died in 1996.

Mrs. Williams got a job in 1946 with Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she became the first African-American ward clerk in the Wilmer Eye Clinic. She retired in the late 1970s.

A longtime resident of East Biddle Street, Mrs. Williams was a mainstay at Waters A.M.E. Church, at 417 Aisquith St., where she was steward, supervisor of the junior ushers and treasurer of the Female Usher Board. Services will be held there at 10: 30 a.m. tomorrow.

She is survived by four nieces and a nephew.

Dr. Stephen R. Max, 56, medical school professor

Dr. Stephen R. Max, a former professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, died April 10 of heart-related illnesses at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. He was 56.

A professor and director of research and technology at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Dr. Max previously spent 22 years in Baltimore at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he held faculty positions in neurology, pediatrics, pathology and biochemistry.

He created and directed a medical degree/doctoral program for students to receive medical and scientific training to investigate disease, and was acting vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

He moved to Bryn Mawr, Pa., in 1992.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. May 14 at Westminster Hall, Fayette and Greene streets.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Barbara H. Sohmer; a daughter, Paula Max-Sohmer of Bryn Mawr; a son, Jonathan Max-Sohmer of Bryn Mawr; his father, Leo Max of Pawtucket, R.I.; two brothers, Ronald Max and Jeffrey Max, both of Medford, Ore.; and a sister, Sheila Max Lederman of South Florida.

Donations may be made to the UMAB Foundation at the University of Maryland at Baltimore, 511 W. Lombard St., Baltimore 21201.

Edwin J. Johnson, 87, Federal Reserve official

Edwin J. Johnson, a longtime official with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, died Monday at Howard County General Hospital of complications of pneumonia and a stroke. He was 87 and lived in Ellicott City.

A native of Baltimore, Mr. Johnson was a graduate of City College. He received an accounting degree from the Johns Hopkins University and became a certified public accountant.

While a student, Mr. Johnson went to work as a messenger at the Baltimore branch of the Federal Reserve. He rose through the ranks to become a manager with the agency.

Mr. Johnson enlisted in the Navy during World War II and served for four years as a financial officer.

After the war, he and his wife, the former Eva Mayne, moved to Washington where he held a series of positions with the Federal Reserve Board, including controller, director of personnel administration and assistant to the board. He was a consultant for the Fed after retiring in 1972.

He was active for 35 years with the District of Columbia Association for Retarded Citizens, and was vice president of the Howard County chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons.

Services were held yesterday.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of nearly 62 years, are two brothers, Elmer Leo Johnson of Arbutus and Leroy Johnson of Middle River; and several nieces and nephews.

Helen W. Cook, 89, longtime city employee

Helen W. Cook, a retired Baltimore municipal employee who was a talented athlete in her youth, died Thursday at Longview Nursing Home in Manchester of complications of diabetes and heart failure. She was 89.

Born Helen Marie Walters in Baltimore, she was a 1925 graduate of Western High School. She won the Fidelity & Deposit Co. tennis tournament in 1927 while she worked for the company, set several women's bowling records and loved horse racing.

In 1929, she married Robert B. Cook, who was a postal worker for 45 years. They lived in Pikesville for many years. Mr. Cook died in 1982.

Known as "Cookie," Mrs. Cook was a longtime employee of the city Bureau of Accounts and Disbursements. She was active in the Classified Municipal Employees Association.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, 101 Church Lane, Pikesville.

She is survived by a son, James R. Cook of Atlanta; a daughter, Nancy E. Renner of Upperco; a sister, Patricia Goode of Towson; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pub Date: 5/04/97