SHIRLEY ANN BOSWELL's Obituary
Shirley Ann Boswell, 76, of Brandywine, Maryland, passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital on July 11, 2026, after a long battle with MDS (blood cancer), surrounded by loved ones. On September 18, 1949, Shirley was born in LaPlata, MD, to William Anthony (Sam) Hall and Cleo Audrice Goines Hall. Shirley was the second of seven (7) children.
Shirley attended Baden Elementary School, and in her 2nd grade class picture, she is standing beside none other than who would become her husband, Buddy. In 1967, Shirley graduated from Frederick Douglass and married the love of her life, “Buddy,” on February 1, 1969, and they were married for 57 years before he passed on May 27, 2026.
Shirley worked for the Federal Government for 33 years before retiring in 2004, working in key roles for the GSA Printing Office and the Census Bureau.
Shirley joined the Baden Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and then decided to become involved with the Fire and EMS in 1975. Through the years, Shirley held many positions in the volunteer service, including being the Vice President and on the Board of Directors at the time of her death. When Shirley became a member in 1975, she was not able to be EMS only; she was required to take “Basic Fire,” which nowadays would be Firefighter I. When being outfitted with gear, there were no boots small enough to fit, so she wore her tennis shoes inside her boots to make them stay on. Then in 1977 Shirley successfully completed the classes to become an EMT-B. She was the first female firefighter at Baden VFD, as well as the first female to become an apparatus driver. During her time with the Department, she received numerous awards and accreditations. She was elected to the PGCVFRA Hall of Fame in 1997; she co-awarded the Rodney Lee Gilbert Award in 2013 and would go on to receive many high awards such as the Willis Thornburg, Rip Selby, and Top Runner for EMS and Fire Calls for the majority of her time as a volunteer.
Life outside of the Baden Fire Department included spending all her time with her husband of 57 years, Buddy, giving birth to their only child, Wendy Ann Small in 1973. Shirley and Buddy also provided a home for their brothers-in-law, Ricky and Wayne Boswell, after the passing of her mother-in-law, Mildred Boswell. Caring for them was a highlight of her life and kept her busy. Shirley loved playing softball and was well known for her awesome pitching. Many times, she was the only female on the field when playing in the Fire Department softball league. She liked to work on their farm raising tobacco and still helped raise tobacco on her mom and dad’s farm as well. She loved her time playing cards, going to the casinos, and just spending time with her friends and family.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Sam and Cleo Hall, her husband Buddy Boswell, sister Francis Hall Jones, brother-in-law Ricky Boswell, and nephew Gary Cook. Shirley is survived by her daughter Wendy Small (Richard), chosen daughter Heather Uncle (Jimmy), brothers Tony Hall (Doris), and Frank Hall (Andy), sisters Bert Foxwell (Freddie), Jan Pappas (Jim), and Theresa Wilkerson (Tommy). She has two grandsons that she is so proud of: Steven D. Prather Jr (Brooke) and Robert “Bobby” Baden III (Victoria). However, she would always say the best name she was ever given was GIGI, by her great-granddaughters Scarlett Rose Prather and Skylar Lee Prather. Shirley also had many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers: Steven Prather Jr, Richard Small, Richie Smith, Nathan Hedrick, Marcus Marshall, and Christie Edelen. Honorary Pallbearers: Hallie Crance, Laurene Qualls, Janice Hall, Valerie Pulliam, Wayne Boswell, and Angie Smith.
Services will be held on July 24, 2026, at the Baden Volunteer Fire Department, 16608 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD 20613. Family and friends visitation will be 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon. Fire Department Services will begin at 12 noon. Internment will immediately follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf, MD. Family and friends are invited back to the repass that will be held at the Baden Volunteer Fire Department, 16608 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD 20613.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
HEROES
(Helps families of fallen firefighters in the immediate DC area including Prince George's County)
5404 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 910
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Please indicate in memory of Shirley Boswell
Condolences may be made to the family at https://www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., Charlotte Hall, MD.
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