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Cordell Albert Noel Deane was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at approximately 2:30p.m. in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America. He was the youngest of eight children from the marriage of Reverend Christopher W. B. Deane and Mrs. Doris Deane nee Cummings. Cordell was born on December 27, 1943, in Georgetown, British Guiana, now Guyana. Cordell was born critically pre-mature, so from birth, he demonstrated a strong survival instinct that sustained him through many challenging times in his life, even to the very end. Unfortunately, due to health complications following his birth, his mother died when he was only 15 months old. This tragedy not only brought the family closer together, but also made all the siblings very protective of their baby brother; throughout his life, each sibling played a role in supporting his development. Cordell’s father was by his wife’s side when she died, and he promised her that he would ensure that all eight of their children would be well educated; without doubt, he kept that promise, as he fostered a very close-knit family. Cordell’s grandfather--William Augustus Deane--founded the AME Zion Church in Guyana, and his father was an active minister in the family church. As a result, Cordell also grew up steeped in a strong religious foundation, as he accompanied his father to several church services every Sunday. Cordell’s father instilled in him three key messages as he was growing up: Always be humble; people can be successful if they have the right encouragement, and God will see you through. With the guidance and unwavering support of his father, Cordell was successfully graduated from Tutorial High School in Guyana. Following graduation, he taught for a few years at Alleyne AME Zion School, the 2nd best private school in Guyana before he left to study at Livingstone College in North Carolina, USA, on a religious scholarship; he was the third generation Deane to attend Livingstone College. At Livingstone, Cordell’s academic confidence was demonstrated as he was recognized several times on the Dean’s list. He always said at Livingstone, that he learned the importance of self-discipline to accomplish any goal. Although initially he attended Livingstone with an interest in divinity and the intention to return to Guyana to continue his father’s work with the AME Zion Church, Cordell decided to choose a different path. He excelled in science and decided to pursue his interest in the medical field at Howard University where many of his Guyanese friends were studying. He was also attracted more to the big city of Washington, D.C. than to the tiny town of Livingstone. While at Howard, inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership, Cordell selected and was inducted into the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and continued to succeed academically. More significantly, he also re-kindled his connection with his long lost teenage friend, Derrice Leacock, who was then living in Montreal, Canada. He was so thrilled to have re-connected with her, that shortly after he graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1971, he and Derrice were married on June 26, 1971. Even in his last days, almost 47 years later, he always said that Derrice was his soul mate. He was very grateful that his father lived to see his academic success and to officiate at their wedding, as his father’s unconditional love played a significant role in his ultimate success. Unfortunately, shortly after he was married, he lost his dear father. Cordell then continued his research, focused on bacteria resistant to antibiotics, at Howard University and graduated in 1974 with his Master of Science Degree in Microbiology. That milestone was one of the proudest moments in his life, because he exceeded his own expectations. After graduation, he became a Clinical Microbiologist/Technologist, as he gained his primary training in lab technology at the Children’s National Medical Center, then known as “Children’s Hospital.” While enjoying the first few years of their marriage, Cordell and Derrice were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Celandra. In addition to his new role as dedicated father, during that same year, Cordell founded the Guyana National Association (GNA) with the focus of bringing Guyanese together in the DC area to develop a greater sense of community and to provide support for less fortunate communities in Guyana. Through various organizational growing pains, he was a transformational leader whose strength ensured the long-term success of the organization. Also, he served as President/Chair of The Caribbean American Intercultural Organization (CAIO), at several times over 20 years. For his tremendous leadership, community service and charitable work, Cordell received several awards for his many efforts to help Guyanese, the most significant of which was the Golden Arrow Award from the Government of Guyana. A few years later, his joy of fatherhood was continued with the birth of his last two daughters, De-Lea and Arielle. As all three of his daughters grew, he became very involved in their education, ultimately serving as President of the Parent Advisory Board at the Newport Prep School. His leadership was very valuable in driving greater success for the school. Additionally, he was actively involved in all of his daughters' various extra-curricular activities, providing valuable support and encouragement through both triumphs and failures, guided by his mantras: "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again," and "If you fail to plan, plan to fail." As his daughters approached college age, they got involved in Inroads, Inc., an organization focused on developing talented minority youth by creating opportunities for valuable internships with Fortune 500 companies. There again, Cordell took on the leadership of Inroads’ Parent Advisory Board for several years. After 15 years as a Clinical Microbiologist at Children’s National Medical Center, Cordell embarked on a new adventure. He founded and managed his own phlebotomy and lab testing service in Washington, D.C., the Stabroek Laboratory. Named after a Guyanese landmark, it had a motto of: Quality, Service, and Integrity. He was proud to provide his testing services to an underserved community in the District of Columbia, contributing to the well-being of thousands of patients through his work. His entire family played a role in supporting the growth of his business in various ways. Cordell remained active in the church throughout his life. At the People’s Community Baptist Church, his most recent church home, he enjoyed serving in the Men’s Ministry, supporting their mentoring program, and regularly attending bible study, until his declining health began to limit his mobility. In 2014, he received the distinguished honor of the church’s Favorite Father Award for his excellence as a man and father. In addition to his strong leadership across many organizations, Cordell impacted so many lives in various ways. He also cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren, siblings and all his family. Cordell LOVED his family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and often had fun teasing or debating someone. He was very interested in politics and loved to watch 60 Minutes with the family after our regular Sunday dinners, often leading to serious discussions or debates. Like his father, he was successful in ensuring that all three of his own children were well educated, each receiving both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in their various areas of interest. Cordell was very proud to see the progress of his children. Cordell Albert Noel Deane was a “Good and faithful servant.” The words of American author, Bessie Anderson Stanley have defined his life as a success since he has, “lived well, laughed often, and loved much; he enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men, and the love of his children. He looked for the best in others and gave them the best he had. His life was an inspiration to others, and he left the world better than he found it.” Cordell was pre-deceased by his eldest sister, Christobel Deane Hughes, brother, Compton Deane, sister, Bernice Cora Fraser, and sister, Hetty Deane Banatte. He is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Derrice Deane nee Leacock, three daughters, Celandra Deane-Bess (Montayo), De-Lea Deane-Allen (Charles III), and Arielle Deane, three grandsons, Montayo, Franklyn, and James Bess, and two granddaughters, Alaila Allen, and Leila Vilma, and three sisters, Gwendolyn Cholmondeley (Arnold), Lynette Philadelphia (Kenneth), and Rosamund Douglas (Rudolph). He also is survived by several adoring nieces and nephews: Nigel, Elizabeth, Stuart, Trevor, Allison, Christopher, Karen, Lynden, Gail, Marc, and Tunde, and his closest cousins, Brian Stephenson and Margot Stephenson-Threatt. In lieu of flowers our family suggests donations to either: https://team.kidney.org/campaign/CordellDeane http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR/FunRaiser/NAT-MTIFEFUNraise?px=14644631&pg=personal&fr_id=3480 Suggested Hotels Homewood Suites by Hilton Silver Spring 8728 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910 tel: (301) 565-0005 Hampton Inn Silver Spring 8728-A Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910 tel: (301) 588-5887 Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring 8506 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910 tel: (301) 589-4899 Days Inn Silver Spring 8040 13th St, Silver Spring, MD 20910 tel: (301) 588-4400 Transportation/Parking Best Airport for international travel: BWI OR Alternative airport: DCA (domestic) Parking Most hotels have valet or garage parking, but there is also cheaper parking in nearby parking lots or on the street We recommend renting a car and/or budgeting for cab/uber/lyft fares.

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Cordell Albert Noel Deane

December 27, 1943 - April 12, 2018

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Cordell Albert Noel Deane

December 27, 1943 - April 12, 2018

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