Supporting Chris After His Mom's Unexpected Passing

Dear Friends, Family, Community, and More

I am writing to let you know about the passing of my mother, Evangeline Marie Graham-Roberts on June 27th, 2024. Marie's death this summer was unexpected for all of us, and upended our lives. Thank you to everyone who prior to today has helped in any way so far, I am eternally grateful.

To many of you Marie may have been a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a co-worker, a friend, or maybe just a kind face. In any event, I know you had your personal connections to her joyous and caring spirit. I share in your sadness. I am absolutely devastated by Marie’s passing.

My mother's eulogy can be read here. And her obituary can be read here. Please take the time to visit the site where these texts are archived.

Her funeral service was held in July at her home church, Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Baltimore. Metropolitan is a historic Black church, with congregational roots stretching back to slavery, the Underground Railroad, and more.

If you were acquainted with my mom, but unable to attend the service, I encourage you to sign the digital guest book which is located here, thanks to the good people at Wylie Funeral Homes.

In the wake of my mother's death, I've been doing my best with major help from some amazing people, but I am struggling profoundly to cover the costs related to handling my mother's affairs, assuming my role of fiduciary responsibility as her executor, maintaining our family home in Baltimore. I still fully support this household in which family members continue to live.

Based on my research into the estate management process, my conversations with lawyers and the Register of Wills, here is an approximate breakdown of all the costs involved:

The costs listed above are due, in no uncertain terms, on either immediate or rolling bases. The process is projected to take at least one year from today. The housing and legal fees are both immediate and urgent.

I am an only child, managing the intricacies of this process entirely on my own. These funds would not only help me, but the full network of community my mother supported.

Please consider donating if you are able to do so. I don't know what this next year will look like, but any financial support will be extremely helpful as I move through these uncharted waters of grief, mourning, legality, and business that accompany the sudden death of a parent.

I am so very grateful for every donation during this difficult time.

With love,

Chris (Marie's son)