Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Yvonne Mary Samuel “…fought the good fight, …finished the race, …kept the faith.” 

Yvonne departed this life Thursday morning, October 23rd, 2025, at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. Until her transition, she was talking, smiling, and laughing as she enjoyed her 84 years of living life—never letting life live her. 

Born on July 4, 1941, in Washington, D.C., Yvonne was the eldest of seven children born to the late Joseph A. Waters and Flossie M. (Hughes) Shaw. She grew up in Southeast Washington, D.C., and later in Fairmont Heights, Maryland, where she graduated from Fairmont Heights High School. Yvonne went on to have three beloved children: Delphine D. Coleman, William Leroy Moseley Jr., and Michelle Y. Woodley. 

Yvonne had a gift for service and was a natural caregiver. It came as no surprise that she began her noble career by operating an in-home daycare service. From 1971 to 1981, she worked for the Department of Justice (Immigration & Naturalization Service - INS), the National Labor Relations Board, and the D.C. Department of Licenses, Investigations & Inspections. Thereafter, Yvonne earned certification and licensure in Early Childhood Education and operated her own personalized daycare service. 

As an extension of her nurturing spirit, she later obtained certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Through this calling, she cared for countless children and elderly family members. Many reading this may nod in agreement, as she likely helped you or your loved ones at some point in your lives. 

Yvonne loved everyone—especially her family—and was the family historian of sorts. With her keen knowledge of family connections, she believed it was important to stay in touch and visit aunts, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and uncles as often as she could. At some point, she probably even opened her home to many of them for short stays when they needed a place to go. 

Yvonne was a soldier for Christ and loved the Lord with all her heart. She was truly dedicated to her Catholic faith, having been baptized in the Church and having completed all required sacraments. She was a long-time member of Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Southeast Washington, D.C. As a continuation of her faithful Catholic practice, Yvonne served as a Lay Minister and completed two years of Lay Ministry training at St. Joseph’s Seminary, along with four years in the Education Parish Service Program at Trinity University. 

Yvonne was compassionate, fiery, outspoken, and at times unfiltered. She was always smiling, loved giving, sharing wisdom, and quoting and sharing daily Bible verses. She loved traveling throughout the United States and abroad—especially throughout the Caribbean islands.  

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Joseph Waters Jr. and Gary Waters Sr. 

She leaves to cherish her memory: 

Her three children and their spouses: Delphine D. Coleman, William Leroy Moseley Jr. (Debra M Tunney), and Michelle Y. Woodley (Glenn Woodley Jr.) 

Grandchildren: Shannon D. Tate, Jordan L. Moseley, Isaiah Woodley, Dominique N Buckmon, Chermaine Woodley, Christopher Woodley, and Glenn Woodley III 

Great-grandchildren: Charles Tate, Jahlil Tate, and Paris Tate 

Siblings: Marie Proctor, Magnolia Waters, Tyrone Waters Sr., and Antoinette Porter 

Along with a devoted host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, and neighbors 

Relatives and friends are invited to Yvonne's Life Celebration on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 10 A.M. until the start of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 8908 Old Branch Ave., Clinton, MD 20735. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735.

Yvonne Mary Samuel

Yvonne Mary Samuel

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