Maurice Ricardo Cawthorne

LAUREL, Md. — Maurice Ricardo Cawthorne, 79, of Laurel, Md., passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at his home. Maurice was born on August 18, 1929 to the union of the late A.W. and Georgia Abbott Cawthorne Lindsey in Appomattox County, Va. He was the second and final child to this union. He was educated in the Mercer County Public School System and left high school early in 1946 to join the Army where he served his country until his honorable discharge in 1952. Upon leaving the service, he attended Bluefield State College on the G.I. Bill. He would later find employment in Bluefield, W.Va. at Saint Luke's Hospital and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.Maurice accepted Christ at an early age; he was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Bluefield, W.Va.While working in Bluefield, he met the love of his life, Mary Katherine Hicks (affectionately known as 'Pee-Wee'). They were joined in holy matrimony on August 7, 1963. There were married for 36 years until her death in 1999.Maurice was a wonderful father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Unlike his wife, we believe everyone may have had a different nickname for him (i.e. "Mo Mo,' 'Mohave,' 'Pops,' and 'Marty'). After he retired in West Virginia, he relocated to the Maryland area to spend more time with his children, grandkids, and extended family.In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Payton R. Cawthorne; and two grandsons, Alexander and Michael Hicks. He has left to mourn his beloved memory two sons, Boyce Watson of Anchorage, Alaska, and Michael Hicks of Ellicott City, Md.; and his daughter, Marcella (Stephen) Martin of Laurel, Md.; grandsons, Delvin Hicks and Steven Martin; and granddaughters, Toni Stevenson, Portia Watson, Ciera Hicks, and Myah Martin; brothers-in-law, Edward Anthony of Las Vegas, Nev., Charles (Mary) Hicks of Lillington, N.C., William Royal of Laurel, Md.; and sisters-in-law, Nancy Pride of Bluefield, W.Va., and Olivia (Lawrence) Harris of Upper Marlboro, Md.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 11:00 a.m. from the Greater Mount Zion Pentecostal Church of Bluefield with the Rev. William Spencer officiating. Burial will follow at the Restlawn Memorial Gardens on Rt. 20 in Bluewell. Friends may call one hour prior to the services.Richardson Funeral Home of Bluefield is in charge of arrangements.To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com