Obituary: Maurice S Debnam

Maurice Otelia Smith Debnam, 95, of Montclair, died on June 19, 2019.

Mrs. Debnam was born in Chase City, Va. on Oct. 17, 1923. After the death of her mother, she and her sister were sent to Montclair in 1929 to live with her cousin. 

She attended public school and after graduation from Montclair High school, worked at Eastern Aircraft and Westinghouse House. While singing in the choir at St. Paul Church, she met Samuel Debnam. 

Mrs. Debnam was a caterer, serving Essex County and the surrounding areas for 60 years.

Mrs. Debnam, her husband with family and friends, started Debnam Caterers. She cooked and served for as many as three weddings in one day.

She was predeceased by her sister Zenobia Smith and a grandson Hatim Salahuddin.

Mrs. Debnam is survived by her husband of 74 years, Samuel L. Debnam, her sons; Steven (Gwendilena) Debnam and Ronald Salahuddin, her grandsons; Shareef and Jared, her great-grandson, Jared Jr., and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation for Maurice S Debnam will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, with a service beginning at noon at St. Paul Baptist Church, 119 Elm St., Montclair.