Mae Francis Blankumsee passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025. She was born on December 5, 1940, in Saint Petersburg, Florida, the eleventh of twelve children of Fannie Mae (Sanders) Blankumsee and Roosevelt Blankumsee.

Mae Francis graduated from Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg in 1958, and went on to attend Gibbs Junior College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1960. Soon after, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she enrolled at Howard University and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. While at Howard, Mae Francis became a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, embodying the sorority’s principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.

Following her graduation, Mae embarked on a lifelong career of service. From 1964 to 1983, she worked at a group facility for individuals with developmental, cognitive, and other disabilities, serving as an Institutional Counselor and as a Supervisory Counselor, overseeing a team of staff. Over nearly two decades, she dedicated herself both professionally and personally, often giving her own time and resources to ensure clients had the clothing, supplies, and care they needed.

In 1984, she joined the District of Columbia’s Developmental Disabilities Administration as a Case Management Coordinator, where she served faithfully until her retirement in 1994, completing 10 years of devoted service to Washington, D.C.’s most vulnerable populations. After retiring, she later returned to the workforce as an Educational Aide with the Head Start Program and other developmental programs within the D.C. Public Schools from 2006 to 2009. Her unwavering dedication to supporting children was both motivational and inspirational, leaving a lasting impression on all who worked alongside her.

Mae Francis was also a committed member of Trinity AME Zion Church in D.C., where she served on the Altar Guild for many years. She was cherished for her infectious laugh, warm smile, love of travel, remarkable shopping talents, and, most of all, her devotion to her family.

A loving sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Mae Francis is survived by her sister, Fannie M. Johnson of the District, who will miss her deeply. Mae’s legacy lives on through her nieces and nephews—including Carroll Johnson-Welsh (Joseph) of the District, Clarence Johnson (Annie) of Virginia, and Monica Blankumsee of Florida, along with her eight great-nieces and nephews and two great-great-nieces.

A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate in honor of Mae Francis Blankumsee to Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the rights and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. Your gift will help continue Mae’s legacy of service to this community. Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities – General Donations 

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