Mrs. Anna Rae McCutcheon Rasmussen

Celebrating the Life of Anna Rae McCutcheon Rasmussen September 27, 1924 to January 2, 2024 Anna Rae McCutcheon Rasmussen of Glen Arm, MD passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. She was born in Princeton, WV, the second of four daughters to Wilford and Emma Williamson McCutcheon. She was educated in Princeton and Ronceverte, WV. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Thomas Rasmussen Sr., on November 10, 1998; her three sisters, Georgia Mae Brown, Valeda Vonceil Farr and LuEmma Bernadine Cochrane; and her granddaughter Cathy DeVries. She is survived by her three children, Edward Thomas, Jr. and Claire of Charlevoix, MI; Rae Ann Rasmussen Cumbie and Jim of Baltimore, MD; and Ronald Wilford Rasmussen and Nan of Greenville, SC. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Delayne Rasmussen of Cleveland, OH; Lynne DeVries Christiansen and Brian of Midland, MI; Kyle Rasmussen and Kim of Elmhurst, IL; Emily Rasmussen of Forest Hills, NY; Anna Toumi and Toufik of Castanet-Tolosan, France; Sarah Cumbie and Brian Gallagher of Washington, DC; Whittier Rasmussen of Chicago, IL; and Nell Gray Rasmussen of Dallas, TX. Her great-grandchildren are Adela Christiansen, Rayan Toumi, Elon Rasmussen and Landon Rasmussen. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and many cousins. Anna Rae grew up in Princeton, WV. Her parents were educators and committed Christians, who worked hard and raised their family with love. In 1940 her Ivy League educated father became Greenbrier High School principal and the family moved to Ronceverte. It was in Ronceverte that Anna Rae met a “handsome guy” who eventually became her husband. After graduating high school in 1942, Anna Rae took the Civil Service Exam and received a job offer by mail with the War Department, US Army, Quartermaster Depot. At age 18 she moved to Washington, DC to begin this position. She worked 6 days per week, while also attending Strayer College and worshipping weekly at a Methodist church in Columbia Heights, where she lived with her sister Georgia Mae. Her beloved Ed was drafted into the Army Medical Corps in 1943 and served in Europe, seeing 5 battles including The Battle of The Bulge. He returned to the United States in 1945, sailing past The Statue of Liberty on his 21st birthday. Anna Rae resigned her position with the War Department and returned to Ronceverte, where they were married in February 1946. Anna Rae and Ed moved to Baltimore in 1946, settling in Dundalk where they could be close to family. While in Baltimore, Anna Rae worked for Lever Brothers while Ed attended Johns Hopkins University. The GI Bill helped them achieve their goals in education and home ownership. Tom was born in December 1953, followed by Rae Ann in October 1956 and Ron in February 1962. Ed worked for Union Carbide while Anna Rae raised the children. They lived in Camillus, NY for about eight years, then moved to Silver Spring, MD in 1971. They lived there for thirty years. In addition to raising three children, Anna Rae maintained volunteer roles with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, schools, churches and within communities. Anna Rae rejoined the workforce when the family moved to Silver Spring. She served as Secretary and Administrative Assistant at Colesville Baptist Church for 5 years before becoming an Administrative Secretary at Vitro Corporation until retiring in 1991. In retirement, Anna Rae and Ed traveled as much as they could, preferring driving to other modes of transportation. After Ed died in November 1998, Anna Rae decided to move to Glen Meadows Retirement Community in Glen Arm, MD in 2001. She spent many years in independent living, continuing her commitment to hosting and hospitality. Church was very important to the Rasmussen family. Throughout their marriage, they were members of Middle River Baptist Church, Hazelwood Baptist Church (charter members), Bethel Baptist Church (charter members), Camillus Baptist Church and Colesville Baptist Church. When Anna Rae moved to Glen Arm following Ed’s passing, she joined Rae Ann’s family at Woodbrook Baptist Church. Anna Rae was a prolific letter and card writer. She enjoyed sending her family articles clipped from newspapers and magazines, or copied from books. She sent cards to many people for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, illnesses, bereavements or for generally keeping in touch. Anna Rae loved family history and often remembered people through the items they left behind. She also collected glassware, pitchers, hat pins, Kewpie dolls and stuffed bears. Anna Rae Rasmussen is remembered as a committed family member, Christian, hostess and volunteer. In a remembrance she wrote near the end of her life, she concluded, “I am thankful for my many blessings.” A celebration of her life will be held at Woodbrook Baptist Church on Saturday, February 17 at 11 am, followed by a lunch reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Woodbrook Baptist Church 25 Stevenson Lane, Baltimore MD 21212 or to the Resident Assistance Fund at Glen Meadows Retirement Community 11630 Glen Arm Rd. Glen Arm MD 21057.

Mrs. Anna Rae McCutcheon Rasmussen

September 27, 1924 - January 2, 2024