Funeral held for Calvert County family stricken with flu

Relatives mourn mother, two adult children

Ruth didn't seek treatment for her flu, but days after her death her son Lowell developed upper-respiratory symptoms. He was taken to Calvert Memorial Hospital and later transferred to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he died, according to the hospitals and health officials. He was three days shy of his 59th birthday. Although he didn't live with his mother, he often visited and helped take care of her.

Lowell worked in masonry and took in teenage foster children. He built model cars and, like his deceased father, enjoyed gardening.

"He made all of us happy and was always looking out for others," Nortey said.

Daughter Venessa, 56, died at Calvert Memorial. Active in her church, she also spent a lot of time with her daughter and two grandchildren.

Stevenson Foote grew up in Lusby and remembered Venessa from high school as a quiet soul. "She never changed," he said. "Even years later she was still quiet."

Singing filled the funeral service as much as crying. People jumped to their feet as favorite hymns were played. They worked to remember the lives that were, instead of the lives that were lost.

"God took all three at this point of time," Foote said. "For some reason he wanted them all called home."

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