Very sad news: Laurie Verge has passed

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Laura Elizabeth Verge

OCTOBER 24, 1943 – FEBRUARY 23, 2020

Obituary of Laura Elizabeth Verge

Laura “Laurie” Elizabeth Verge (Mays), 76, of Brandywine, Maryland, passed away February 23, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

Laurie was born on October 24, 1943 to the late Noel Owen Mays and late Laura Elysebeth Burroughs Mays at Mitchel Field, New York. From a young age until adulthood she was the organist at the Chapel of the Incarnation in Brandywine, Maryland. She was a 1961 graduate and salutatorian of Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine, Maryland. She attended Frostburg State College where she enjoyed a variety of clubs and activities, especially Alpha Xi Delta Women's Fraternity. She graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.

After college, Laurie taught History and Government in the Prince George’s County Public Schools at Spaulding Jr. High School in Forestville, Maryland until 1972. At that time, she married and gave birth to a daughter in 1973. While a stay at home mother, she dedicated her time to her daughter as a dance mom, spending countless hours behind the desk of the Linda Natoli Dance Studio and at dance competitions. During this time, her love for history was fueled again when she became a founding member of the Surratt Society and one of the first volunteer docents at the Surratt House Museum in Clinton, Maryland.

In the mid-1980’s, Laurie became a full-time employee of the Surratt House Museum under the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. She continued to work at the Surratt House until her death as the Museum Director. During her long tenure she was blessed to meet and make many wonderful friends and colleagues. She was known as a leading authority in the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination and local Southern Maryland history.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Diane Verge Morphew, and her grandson, Aaron Brayden Alexander Morphew. She was particularly proud of her grandson’s shared love of history and dedication to education.

Visitation will take place at the Huntt Funeral Home on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A brief burial service will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Huntt Family Cemetery located near 12549 Mattawoman Dr, Waldorf, MD 20601.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Surratt Society (9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735) in remembrance of her love and dedication to the society and its members.