Jermoe Thomas Countee, Sr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and pillar of the community passed away in Maryland on January 8, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born March 21, 1940, to William and Lillian Countee. He was the oldest of 11 children – five brothers: Aaron “Francis” (Yvonne [deceased], William “Poogie” [deceased] (Sarah), Harold (Lyndia), Timothy “Timmy” [deceased] (Brenda), and James “Martin” (Doretha), and five sisters: Sandra “Sandy” Bowman [deceased] (James) Virginia “Gina” Hursey [deceased] (Bernie [deceased]), Margie Smith [deceased] (Richard [deceased]), Marie Simmons (William [deceased]), and Marcella “Cella Simmons (Malcolm).

Jerome Sr. was raised in Lanham, Maryland and attended Lincoln Primary School and Fairmont Heights High School in Prince George’s County, MD where he met his wife Grace Yvonne (Ray) Countee. The couple was blessed with one son, Jerome Jr. After high school, Jerome Sr. attended Maryland State College, now known as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in construction management, then later completed a master’s degree in education from Bowie State College, now Bowie University.

Jerome Sr. was a man of faith and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Largo, MD for a time. He then moved his church affiliation to the New Mount Nebo Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, MD, where one of his childhood friends, Reverend Robert Johnson, presided.

Jerome Thomas Countee, Sr., was a loving husband to his wife, Grace, and a devoted father to his son, Dr. Jerome T. Countee, Jr. He was also a caring grandfather to his grandchildren, Jordan and Kasey. He is survived by his wife, son, grandchildren, and his siblings Aaron, Marie, harold, James, and Marcella.