Salute To Excellence | Digital Program Booklet 2025-26 - Journal - Page 11
In Loving Memory
In Loving Memory
Doris J. Cammack-Spencer, M.P.A, Hon D.
Annette Jones Funn
co-founder
Co-founder
Doris Spencer was a true champion of civic engagement and leadership,
driven by a deep passion for civic participation and advocacy. Throughout her
impressive career, she undertook numerous roles, including serving as the CoFounder and Charter President of Concerned Black Women of Calvert
County, Chairman of the Coalition of African American Community-based
Organizations, and President/CEO of the Southern Maryland Minority
Chamber of Commerce, Inc., formerly known as the Black Chamber of
Commerce. She also held the position of Executive Director of the Southern
Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., and served as
Chairman of the Town of Chesapeake Beach Zoning Appeals Board.
Additionally, Doris was a member of the Southern Maryland Tri-County
Workforce Investment Board and the Southern Maryland Economic
Development Association, and she was a Director on the FSC First Board of
Directors.
Annette's Inspiring Journey
Despite facing the formidable challenges of racial prejudice and gender
discrimination, Doris not only persevered but flourished. Her successful career
was anchored in four key principles aimed at enhancing her leadership
abilities: elevating standards from competence to excellence, pursuing ongoing
education and training, demonstrating commitment, and engaging in civic
participation.
Commitment To Service
Annette's dedication to service shone brightly throughout her life, as she actively
participated in numerous organizations. Notably, she served as the State President of the
Maryland Federation of Business and Professional Women, becoming the first African
American to achieve this distinction in its 90-plus-year history. In this capacity, she led
delegations to various locations, including Honolulu, Hawaii; The Hague, Netherlands;
and Auckland, New Zealand. Additionally, she held positions such as State President of
Gideons International Delmardic States Auxiliary, Co-President of the League of
Women Voters of Calvert County, and founder and chair of the National Council of
Negro Women's Section in Prince George's County. Annette was also the local president
of the Toastmasters International Chapter and Blacks In Government Parklawn. As an
active member of the Largo Civic Association, she concentrated on planning and zoning
issues and was affiliated with organizations such as the National Congress of Black
Women, NAACP, and Shiloh Benefit Fellowship. Furthermore, she served as the vice
chair of the 13th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, appointed by Maryland
Governors. Her numerous contributions earned her a wealth of community awards,
citations, and letters of commendation.
Doris also received various gubernatorial, mayoral, and school board
appointments in Virginia and Maryland. She was appointed by Governor
Baliles to serve as Vice Chair of the first Commonwealth of Virginia Council
on Information Management, and by the City Council to the City of
Alexandria Youth Policy Commission. Further appointments by the Mayor
included the Alexandria/Arlington Workforce Investment Board, the
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Community Resources Board of Trustees, and the
Town of Chesapeake Beach Zoning Appeals Board. She was also appointed
by the Alexandria City School Board to the Alexandria Commission on
Information Technology and by Governor Glendenning to the Maryland
Lower Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategies Team.
Originally from Washington, D.C., Dr. Spencer spent 30 years in
the City of Alexandria, VA, where she raised her children,
Charles Jr. of Temple Hills, MD, and Patricia Spencer Favreau,
Esq., of Martha’s Vineyard, MA, before moving to Calvert
County in 2000. She was a proud grandmother of five and a
great-grandmother to one.
Annette's extraordinary journey commenced in 1960 when she graduated from Central
High School in Northumberland County, Virginia, after attending the Julius Rosenwald
School. During her high school years, she was deeply inspired by Dr. Mary McLeod
Bethune, a renowned educator, civil rights activist, and founder of Bethune-Cookman
University in Daytona Beach, Florida. She later pursued higher education at Virginia
State University, where she participated in a civil rights march in Petersburg, Virginia,
alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who appointed her as a "platoon leader" for
the event.
Over her impressive 35-year career at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Annette
continued her education at various esteemed institutions, including the USDA Graduate
School, University of Rhode Island, University of Wisconsin, University of South
Carolina, Georgetown University, American University, and George Washington
University. Her professional journey encompassed roles such as microbiologist, Senior
Science Public Health Policy Advisor, Consumer Safety Officer, and Supervisor.
Professional Achievements
Annette's professional accomplishments were equally remarkable. She retired from the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration after a distinguished career, during which she held
various positions, including bench microbiologist, Senior Science Public Health Policy
Advisor, and National Manager of the FDA's 50-plus Advisory Committees for
consumer members. She received several workplace awards, including the HHS
Secretary's Award of Excellence for her pivotal role in implementing the first Food
Labeling Initiative and for her outstanding contributions as a Patient Representative on
cancer-related Advisory Committees.
In June 1967, Annette married her life partner and soulmate, Malcom
Lloyd Funn, and together they welcomed one son, Kelby Funn.
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