Cynthia Rae "Cindy" Emerson, 60, of Abell, MD died January 1, 2009 at her residence. Born July 10, 1948 in Washington, DC she was the daughter of the late J. Archie and Rae M. Oliver Hill.

She is survived by her fiancé Ray Gaines; children: Vicki Ryce and her husband Micky and Ritchie Tippett and his wife Sharon all of Leonardtown, MD, Joe Mike Tippett of Helen, MD, Veronica Higgs and her husband Blaise of Mechanicsville, MD and Ron Emerson, Jr. and his wife Shannon of Abell, MD; sister Janet Thompson and her husband Johnny of Avenue, MD; grandchildren: Michael Tippett, Matthew Tippett, Lindsey Ryce, Hailey Ryce, Owen Tippett, Andrew Tippett, Olivia Higgs and Jarrett Higgs.

Cindy moved to St. Mary's County in 1964 from Clinton, MD. She graduated from Chopticon High School Class of 1966. She worked as a beautician. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #221 and the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing bingo and cards and going shopping.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 4, 2009 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 3:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, MD. Pallbearers will be Jay Thompson, Aaron Fenwick, Bo Vallandingham, Bobby Thompson, Tommy Howe, Mark Wood and John Weber.

Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, St. Mary's County Unit, P.O. Box 1032, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.