Augustine Ann Stith

After more than twenty-five years of medical illness, AUGUSTINE ANN ROBINSON STITH surrendered her body, soul, and spirit to her Lord and Savior’s call to return home on April 11, 2024. She was the only child of Willie Stewart of Pumphrey, Maryland and Pauline Joyner of Gastonia, North Carolina. James “Buddy” Lyles, of Chester, South Carolina married Pauline on October 26, 1952 and Buddy informally adopted Tina and supported her and her children until his death on September 9, 1986. At the age of ten, Augustine began her religious journey with baptism in the Baptist Church. At twelve-years old, Augustine was converted and confirmed in the Catholic Church at St. Francis Xavier Church. She attended morning mass at St. Francis Xavier and was active in various ministries. In 2005, Augustine attending St. Ambrose Catholic Church where she faithfully attended mass until her health prevented her. Augustine, affectionately known as Tina, Ms. Tina, and Mama Tina, was born on December 6, 1942, at University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Tina’s father of record is Jacob Robinson who passed soon after her birth. She was re-united with her birth father, Willie, who migrated to other cities due to the economic conditions of the 40’s and 50’s. Willie instilled a strong need for a good education. Tina was profoundly impacted by not one but five father figures. Jacob, an adoptive father, Willie, who insisted and encouraged her to pursue an education beyond high school, Uncle Bruce Duncan, who showed the value of family commitment, love, strength of one’s personhood; Buddy, who expressed his love, commitment and protection to her as his own daughter, and her father-in-law, William H. Stith, who’s wit helped her to see “All crazy ain’t crazy-some is just relief from chaos and sadness.” All these men informed her intellectual and work ethic. Augustine also had great admiration for several women. Aunt Alma Means, who was very protective and raised Tina for a short period of her youth was influential in her later becoming a nurse. Her motherin-law, Ernestine Stith, showed her what it meant to be stylish, where to find a good meal, and how to love life. Her sister-in-law, Carolyn Stith, who taught her about true friendship and the responsibility to live, honor, and love her African American heritage. It was Carolyn who introduce Tina to politics which began her fight for justice and equality against racism. Her sister-in-law, Clarence Stith Thomas, and her aunt, Lorenda Bridgeforth, taught her and others that they were Augustine Ann Robinson Stith more than their birth limitations. Tina learned that people with Down Syndrome could excel and the beauty of the Deaf community as she learned sign language and advocated for inclusivity in employment and social activities. Tina would go on to become the first Sign Language Interpreter for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and interpret at other parishes in Baltimore City. Tina’s first exposure to education was at four-years-old in York, North Carolina, when visiting her grandparents Robert and Liza Joyner. Tina would follow the older children to school and sit outside and listen to the teacher. Seeing her love for learning, the teachers welcomed her into the classroom. When she returned to Baltimore, she enrolled in Elementary School # 135 and then Dunbar High School where she graduated in 1960. Augustine never stopped learning. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work at Morgan State University (Class of 1979) (Formally the Department of Social Work), and Master of Social Work at the University of Maryland School of Social Work (1985). She was a certified Art Therapist and completed several courses in Sign Language Interpretation over a five-year period at Catonsville Community College in Baltimore County, Maryland. She met Archer L. Stith on September 29, 1975, at 10pm during a required ice breaker session for incoming students attending the Johns Hopkins University Alcoholism and Addiction Program at St. Mary’s Seminary. After an eight-year relationship, they exchanged marriage vows before the late Bishop Carl A. Fisher, S.S.J. on October 30, 1983, at Historic St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church. At the time of Tina’s return home to God, she and Archer’s union has weathered highs and lows for forty-nine years. Tina had a very strong, persevering work ethic and an unrelenting desire to succeed at whatever she put her efforts to. She had to, as a single mother of three children. She began working for the State of Maryland at the age of eighteen years old as a dietary aide at Spring Grove State Hospital. She later worked at three other state hospitals for mentally challenged patients: Spring Grove, Crownsville, and Springfield State Hospitals. Tina made sure every person felt valued and received her quality attention to ensure they were able to successfully return to their community with support and services. She retired from State service in 1995. While working full-time and managing a family, Augustine started her mental and behavioral health private practice in Baltimore City, Maryland. She was very successful and was able to employ a staff of over fifteen including her husband, mother, and children. She provided social work services to the Baltimore City Public Schools and the Baltimore City Courts. Later, she was employed as a Senior Consultant by her daughter, Dr. Paula Langford, at The Healing Institute. She also made jewelry and silk flower arrangements for fun. In 1982, the late Carl. A. Fisher, S.S.J. recruited Augustine to establish the first African American Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court # 2257 at Historic St. Francis Xavier Church. Tina and the other Court leaders would go on to establish the first African American Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americans also at St. Francis Xavier. In March of 2014, Augustine was instrumental in establishing Court #2676 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church where she began the annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon. As an active military wife and family support group facilitator, she was dedicated to honoring and assisting Veterans and their spouses whenever she could. Augustine loved to travel. She traveled to twenty-one states in the USA, many Caribbean Islands, Europe including Rome, and certainly Africa. Although most her trips were vacations, Tina also went on several missionary trips to Kenya and Nigeria. Although her health did not allow her to travel to Israel, Senegal, and The Gambia, she was an annual financial supporter of Project Safety Nets Missions where she provided education scholarships to students. She leaves to carry on her legacy her devoted husband of forty-nine years, Archer Leon Stith and her daughters, Dr. Paula Langford and Tselane T. Gardner (Mark). Her sons Harry L. Braxton (2021) and Salvador M. Langford (2013) preceded her in death. She also leaves one sister-in-law, Clarice Thomas (Washington State); four aunts, Ola Grade, Joyce Bridgeforth, Kathleen Ford and Rose Morris; five grandchildren, Marcellus, Nicholas, Christopher, Kimberly (deceased) Tabitha, Peyton; and five great-grandchildren Ja’miya, Michael, Noah, Rielly, Chloe; the Duncan family; her adopted daughter, Norma Townsend; special friend, Zee Harris; the Umoja Tribe, and a host of extended family and friends

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Augustine Ann Stith

December 6, 1946 - April 11, 2024