Lillian "Faye" (Potts) Minus

Lillian Fayetta Potts Minus, age 79, transitioned from this life on June 14, 2022 at ChristianaCares Hospital, Christiana, Delaware, warmly enveloped by the love of her family.  Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on June 12, 1943, Lillian grew up in Thomastown, a close-knit enclave just west of Denton, Maryland.  Lillian or “Faye“ as she was fondly known, was the middle daughter of the late Milford Reese Potts and the late Lillian Beatrice Horner Potts.

Faye was a lifelong learner. She excelled as a student in the Caroline County schools, where she graduated from Lockerman High School in 1961 and went on to study Foods and Nutrition at Morgan State College (now University) in Baltimore, Maryland. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science on June 5, 1965 and marrying the love of her life, Fredric Minus, on June 12, 1965, Faye relocated to Trenton, New Jersey where she resided for nearly 47 years (Huff Avenue). She worked as a dietician for the Trenton State Psychiatric Hospital before extending her studies at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) where she received a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education. Faye went on to enrich the lives of thousands of students at Trenton Central High School over 38 years, as a Resource Room teacher and full-time Director of the Peer Leadership Program. Finally in 2014, Faye was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Morgan State University in Civil Disobedience for her civil rights actions in 1963, when as a student, she fought inequity by integrating a movie theater at the Northwood Shopping Center, an area now owned by MSU. Faye was a certified real estate agent, a tax specialist with the NJ Department of Taxation (upon retirement from the Trenton Board of Education), accomplished in technology beyond her years with every gadget on the market, and was always eager to learn a new skill.

Faye’s commitment to advocacy, community, and equity extended long beyond her time at Morgan. She taught cooking classes at the housing projects in Trenton to young moms; organized voter registration drives; and tutored students whenever they needed. Faye was a Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated; a member of Phi Delta Kappa; and an accomplished seamstress and quilter with the Friendly Quilters. She remained active by line dancing with First State Steppers and doing chair yoga and other activities at the Modern Maturity Center; she could be found laughing and imbibing with her Sister Sippers; and until the COVID-19 pandemic played pinochle every Wednesday with a willing, competitive and consistent group of friends.

Faye enjoyed reading, shopping, playing word games, eating crabs, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Faye never met a stranger.  Even until the end, everyone she met commented on her warm smile, kind words, and quick wit. She was a favorite in the ICU, often providing a comforting word or laugh to those who were there to provide care to her.

Faye is predeceased by her parents, her sisters Vivian Wilson (Nathaniel), Gloria Jean Austin, and Clara Renae Dixon. Faye leaves to mourn her devoted and loving husband of 57 years, Fredric Minus; her daughters, Michelle Minus Swittenberg (Lamont) and DeAnna Minus-Vincent (Daryl); her favorite grandchildren Darynn Minus-Vincent, Reese Swittenberg, and Evan Swittenberg; her sister Melanie Boston (Allen); a brother-in-law Leo Dixon, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

"In lieu of flowers the family has requested your gifts of kindness, by check, be sent to MSU Foundation," In memory of Lillian Potts Minus" in memo. Mailing address is MSU Foundation, PO Box 64261, Baltimore, MD 21264-4261, or online at givetomorgan.org.

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