Maria Elain Hendricks was born on June 10, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the oldest of four siblings, 3 girls, born to the late Hubert and Melrose McKenzie. Melrose divorced on and married the late Allen Flagg, and one son was born to this union.

Maria attended Lafayette Elementary School then Alexander Hamilton Junior High School and graduated from John Adams High School.

Maria accepted Christ at an early age at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Maria and her mother joined Church of Christ at the Boulevard on St. Clair Ave. Maria started working right after school as a secretary at the Cleveland House of Correction (workhouse), her parent's restaurant's, J.C. Penny's and Hallie's in the cosmetics department. She also worked for the Ohio Turnpike, an ICU care giver at Cleveland Clinic and retired from Steve's Towing as a dispatcher.

On June 20, 1962, Maria married Arnette Wilton Simmons and to this union 3 children were born, Allen Lawrence "Squirt", Stacy Marlene and Arnette Charles "Church".

After Marie and Arnette divorced she married Chico Solomon in August 1979, who was a retired baseball player for the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. Her last marriage was with Claude Hendricks in January 2011, and they divorced in 2022.

On July 22, 2024, Maria was called home to be with the Lord. Although we will miss her presence here on earth, everything that comes for God must return back to Him. Nothing living on earth lives forever.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Allen Flagg and Melrose McMicheaux Flagg; sister, Marlene Jane McKenzie, Arnette Simmons and ex-husband, Chico Solomon.

Maria leaves to cherish her many memories and carry on her legacy; son, Allen Lawrence Flagg "Squirt"; granddaughters, Rhonda Bruce and Candice Simmons, grandsons, Ronald Bruce, De'Angelo Simmons and Brandon Simmons; Stacy Simmons Campbell and Richard Campbell, Arnette Charles Simmons and Jennifer Simmons; sister, Melrose Darlene Lyons; brother, Richard Flagg; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.