Ms. Maybelle brought smiles, laughter, and hope to many

Baltimore Mourns the Loss of Pam “Renee” Leak

Beloved Baltimore comedienne Pamela “Pam” René Leak, who was known as “Ms. Maybelle” and kept audiences laughing with her comedic acts and favorite saying, ‘Tell EM SHUGGAR!’ passed away on March 1, 2024. The popular emcee, radio personality, actress, community advocate, humanitarian, model, and friend to many was 57.

Services for Leak were held March 14, 2024 at the United House of Prayer for All People, 3401 Edgewood Ave. in Baltimore. A Celebration of Life Part II will take place Friday, March 15, 2024 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. at the Patapsco Arena, 3301 Annapolis Road in Baltimore.

Leak looking up at Ms. Maybelle’s Way. She grew up in the 2600 block of Robb Street, which was renamed in her honor last year.

“I actually used to call her Bea Gaddy, Jr.,” said Leak’s son Antoine Spencer, referring to the late Bea Gaddy who was known for her large Thanksgiving dinners and advocated for the poor and homeless. “Even when my mother didn’t have it, she would pull her resources together to help people. Even if it was a little bit, she stretched it to be a lot to help as many people as she could.”

He added, “There’s always somebody that has a story of how she helped them. She was a great representation of community activism. She was a beacon of light, and when people looked at her, they could see a reflection of God and His mercy through all she did to help people.”

Leak hosted numerous shows, cabarets, and birthday parties in Baltimore and beyond. She regularly hosted at City View Restaurant and gave numerous events at the Patapsco Arena and Forest Park Sr. Center.

“Tee Shirt” Brian said he helped Leak to secure her regular engagements at City View. “Pam used to say, ‘I love City View and City View loves me,’” said “Tee Shirt” Brian. “She really enjoyed hosting at City View. She did so much in the community through her successful food drives and other events. Her greatest legacy is giving back.”

Vashtied Battle-Brown, Leak, and Ursula V. Battle following one of the comedienne’s fashion shows.

Leak dedicated countless hours to various community service initiatives, including organizing food drives, volunteering at senior centers, and spearheading neighborhood cleanups. Leak’s many humanitarian efforts included Ms. Maybelle & Friends Turkey Drive & Give Away. She was also the CEO and creator of Ms. Maybelle’s Full-Figured Fashion Show.

Her career included working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Stella Maris and Deaton Specialty Hospital. She also worked at the Baltimore City Circuit Court for the late clerk Frank Conaway, Sr.

The talented Baltimore native who brought smiles and laughter to so many was a 1985 graduate of Edmondson High School. Leak had worked with the likes of comedian and actor Steve Harvey and modeled with Travis Winkey. She hosted “Maybelle Mondays” on WOLB 1010 AM, and for years worked the airwaves alongside Senator Larry Young delivering her own unique brand of comedic flair.

She appeared in several plays written by this playwright. However, Leak also had a dream to write and produce a play about her own life story. Her dream came true with the presentation of “Maybelle’s One Woman Show” in 2022 at Arena Players.

“I modeled in one of Pam’s fashion shows,” said columnist and author Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor-Trusty. “From there, we just grew closer. She was like a daughter to me. Her greatest legacy was giving to the less fortunate. She never complained, and always did it with pride. And she didn’t put the work on her volunteers…she also went out there and did it herself. I think that’s why she was so blessed.”

Leak as “Usher Loveless” in Ursula V. Battle’s Gospel stage play comedy, “For Better or WOR$E.”

Pryor-Trusty added, “Pam also raised a child with disabilities and gave him excellent care. He came first in her life no matter what. She made sure he was exposed to everything a healthy child was exposed to including baseball and football games. I’ve been around for a long time, and I really don’t know anyone who has done as much as Pam did. Baltimore has taken a great loss. She was one of a kind.”

Leak is survived by sons Antoine Spencer, Shawn Carter, and Nickolas “Nick” Riddick; sister Michelle Wallace; grandchildren, Camden Spencer, London Spencer, and Ameniah Jennings; uncles, Donald Culbreth, Aaron Stewart; and Carlton Douglass; aunts, Joyce Culbreth, Bessie Goss, and Sheila Gaylord; cousin, Sherrie Webb; daughter-in-law, Jessica Spencer; niece, Ashley Culbreth; beloved friend Derek Edwards and a host of other great-nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.