Lemmert Miller Cousins, 76

CAMBRIDGE - Lemmert Miller Cousins, passed away Monday, June 29, 2009, in Coastal Hospice on the Lake, Salisbury. He was 76. He was born on May 15, 1933 in Towson, and was the only son of the late James Miller Cousins and Anna Poole Cousins. He is an alumnus of Towson High School. Mr. Cousins joined the 115th Infantry Headquarters of the 29th Division of the Maryland National Guard while still in high school. He was a member of Tuscan Chapter of DeMolay, later becoming the Master of his Lodge. After High School he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving with the 1st Marine Brigade, 4th Marine Regimental Combat Team. Sgt Cousins was also a Drill Instructor in Paris Island and spent two years with the Fleet Marine Force. Upon honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps, he married Martha S. Collier of Ellicott City, his wife of 52 years. They have three children, Camby Collier Cousins, Kimberly Collier Cousins and Lemmert M. Cousins II. Mr. Cousins worked for the U.S. Federal Government accepting a position at the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute in the office of the Director, from which he retired in 1998, a few years later taking a position with the Dorchester Sheriff's Department, where he credits working with some of the finest men that he came to know. Mr. Cousins was a member of several organizations which included Center Lodge No. 108 A.F. & A.M. in Baltimore, The Sons of the American Revolution, John Egar Howard Chapter, Elks Lodge 2323, where he became Exalted Ruler in 1984. He was also a member of Spedden United Methodist Church and resided with his wife in their home in the Neck District of Dorchester County. A funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2009 at the Thomas Funeral Home in Cambridge, with Rev. George W. Wheatley Jr. Interment will follow at the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery near Hurlock. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 5, 2009 from 3 to 5 p.m. and during the hour prior to the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Coastal Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802; or to the Neck District Volunteer Fire Company, 945 Cooks Point Road, Cambridge, MD 21613.