Essence Qiana (Pryor) Minter, 46, of Hagerstown, MD, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Born January 25, 1979 in Silver Spring, MD, she was the daughter of Mr. Stevie A. Pryor of Chambersburg and the late Catherine L. Brunner.
Essence graduated from Seneca Valley High School in 1997 and proudly served a four-year term in the United States Navy. She was a Charter Member of Zeta Amicae and was known for her joyful spirit and ability to make others smile and laugh.
On October 20, 2019, Essence became a devoted dog mom to Blu Minter, whom she loved beyond words. Essence was a devoted fan of the New York Giants and found strength in her faith, often reflecting on her favorite scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11, Acts 13:36 and Philippians 4:11.
Essence possessed a wide range of professional skills, including serving as a Child Development Director and Supervisor of Medical Records at Autumn Lakes Nursing Home of Braddock Heights, MD. She was also blessed with the spiritual gift of teaching and faithfully shared God’s Word through Sunday School.
Above all, Essence cherished time spent with family-especially Thanksgiving gatherings at her sister Junita’s home and being together during the holiday season.
Essence leaves to mourn her husband of 12 years, Karlton “Nicholas” Minter; her father, Stevie A. Pryor, her mother-in-law, Laverne Minter; sisters-in-law Kristi Minter and Rashawna Jackson; sisters Junita Thompson and Joi McDonald; brothers Travis Jackson and Stevie Pryor, Jr.; nieces Dejai Thompson, Shaiylah Jackson and Aaliyah Jackosn; nephews, Desmon Demar, Jr., Brandon Helms, Eric Helms, Jr. and Anthony Harper; great-nieces Taliyah Demar, Zori Demar, Thana Helms and Taelynn Henderson; and great-nephews Kaden Askew, Eilon Helms and Yasir Helms.
She is also survived by her sister-cousin Keisha Mosby; soul sister Renarda Hoes; cousin-brother Xzavier Twine; goddaughters Yasmin Warsaw and Princess Watson; step-grandmother Mrs. Estelle Mason; aunts Frances, Terri, Sabrina, Marcell and Maudelene; uncles Larry, Charles, III, George, Antonie, Randy, Pernell and Rafeal; close cousins Antionette “Toni” Boswell, Kiana Hall and Janarra Hall, along with a host of other loving cousins and dear friends.
A service to honor Essence’s life was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026 in Experience Gateway Church, 11017 Kemps Mill Road, Williamsport, MD.
Burial with military honors will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, February 6, 2026 in the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico, VA.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bowersox Funeral Homes.
