Jean Embree Hicks passed away at her residence in Owings on October 2, 2021. She was born in Bristol, Virginia on December 3, 1916 to Royal Burdick Embree and Ellen Maria Chapman Embree. She lived most of her childhood in Buena Vista, Virginia. Jean graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1939. Her first job after graduation was at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, GA where she met her husband, James Earl Hicks. They were married on March 1, 1941.

Jean and Earl moved to an apartment in Washington D.C. later that year when Earl got a job at the US Treasury and Jean worked for the War Productions Board. In 1942, Jean and Earl moved to a house in Landover Hills, MD, and lastly to their beloved home "Maidstone" in 1951. Jean enjoyed cooking and working on the restoration of the house. She loved gardening—both flowers and vegetables. She loved her family.

As her children grew up, Jean was eventually able to join her husband when he traveled with his work. Since she had never traveled before, this opened a new passion for her, which led to her having a wide range of novel experiences. Jean and Earl had some wonderful trips together and later, during her very long widowhood, she found many ways to enjoy travel, including visiting every continent in the world except Antarctica.

During Jean's 70 years at her home in Calvert County, she contributed much to the community. Jean was a founding member of the Calvert County Library and served as the president of its first board. As an owner of an historic house, she worked tirelessly on historic preservation in the county. Jean and Earl also opened Maidstone to the public many times for Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimages.

Jean is survived by her children Michael Hicks, Jacqueline Lopata (Alex), Millicent Cozzie (James), Lesley Kuczera (George), and Jennifer Dowell (James), fourteen grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Earl, and her brothers Royal, William, Edward, and Francis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Calvert Library Bookmobile.



Visitation
Friday, October 15, 2021
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Rausch Funeral Home-Owings
8325 Mt. Harmony Lane
Owings, MD 20736

Memorial Service
Friday, October 15, 2021
2:00 PM
Rausch Funeral Home-Owings
8325 Mt. Harmony Lane
Owings, MD 20736