Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

(Agnes) Nell O’Rear

(Agnes) Nell O’Rear, 99, went home to be with the Lord on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2020. She passed away peacefully at her home in Temple Hills, Maryland surrounded by members of her loving family. Her last words to them were “to be continued.”

Nell was born in Rockdale, Texas on March 26, 1920 to Agnes (“Meme”) and Buford Sudbury. Nell’s lifelong love of music surfaced early as she practiced “playing” on her pretend piano, a windowsill at home, where she “never made a mistake.” Later, she began piano lessons, taught others to play, majored in music at Baylor University, and played the piano at her church in Freeport, Texas. At church, she met her future husband, Jack O’Rear, a fellow Texan who worked as a chemist for Dow Chemical Company. After Jack enlisted in the Navy, they married in 1944 in La Jolla, California and eventually settled in Washington, D.C. following the war.

Nell and Jack joined Congress Heights Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. where many forever friendships were formed. As the suburbs developed in the 1950s, Nell and Jack moved to Temple Hills, Maryland, where they raised their children, Grady, Molly, and Danny. The family attended Temple Hills Baptist Church, and later became charter members of Broadview Baptist Church. More recently, Nell has been an active member at First Baptist Church of Camp Springs, Maryland.

Nell’s life reflected her faith and commitment to God and the community of His family. As a pianist, organist, and teacher, she reached out and shared God’s love through countless activities including teaching various ages in Sunday School, directing Children’s Music Ministries, playing for adult and youth choirs, participating in the WMU (Women’s Missionary Union), serving in the Eastern Star, and teaching piano to students of all ages.

Nell is survived by her children: Grady (Tena) O’Rear, Molly (Teddy) Keller, and Danny (Kim) O’Rear; grandchildren: Scotia Mortensen, Solveig Mortensen, Gary Summers, April Rust, Brennan (David) O’Rear, Maggie Benedette, Kevan (Amanda) O’Rear, Emily Keller, and Brian Keller; and great-grandchildren: Liam, Jack, Pippa, Breanna, Caitlyn, and Davin.

Because of the guidelines set by Gov. Hogan, the services for Nell are private. A memorial service will be held at a later date when the health crisis has passed. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Camp Springs, 6936 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20748.

Condolences may be made by using the Memory Wall link on this page.

Nell O'Rear

Nell O'Rear

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