On Sunday, July 26, 2009, Lemuel Lawrence Heard of Nanjemoy, Maryland quietly departed this life at Fort Washington Hospital, Fort Washington, Maryland.

Lemuel was born to the late Louis and Helen Heard on January 18, 1931. He attended Charles County Public Schools in Charles County Maryland. He married Iretha Doris Carroll on September 9, 1953 and from this union they were blessed with nine (9) children. Over the years, he worked different jobs including working for Accokeek Foundation and Driving the Melwood Bus, but most of his career was at the Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head Maryland where he retired after 34 years of dedicated Government Service.

In addition to his parents, Lemuel, (Known as Lem and Redd to some), was preceded in death by his son: Sheldon Heard, grandson: Darren Heard; sisters: Cora Mushette and Helen Lancaster; brothers: Arthur (Mouse) Hurd and Morris (Sonny) Heard.

He leaves to cherish fond memories, his wife of 52 years and 10 months, Iretha Doris Heard; children: Doris Darlene Heard, Clayton Lemuel Heard, Garnell Heard, Ronald Lawrence Heard, Gerard Heard, Cheryl Greene, Troy Heard, and Marian Claudine Proctor. Four (4) daughters in-law: Euwanna, Linda, Diane and Barbara; two (2) sons-in-law: Michael Greene and Andre Proctor, and former son-in-law: Birchard Leftridge. Fourteen (14) grandchildren: Birshona, Darrell, Duane, Latrese, Ronald Jr, Dantae, Derrick, DonJuan, Shalinda, Garnell Jr, Cherese, Katrina, Gerard and Janae. Fifteen(15) great grandchildren; Three (3) sisters: Hester Hagens, Mildred McKinney, and Dorrie Wiggins; one(1) brother: Albert Heard; four(4) brothers in-law: Bishop James McKinney, Bernard Carroll, Norman Carroll and Adolph Carroll; Seven(7) sisters-in law: Annie Heard, Isadore Chisley, Ann Lee, Mable Keys, Vivian Dent, Shirley Carroll and Betty Carroll; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Viewing, 9:00 am, Friday, July 31, 2009 at Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8705 Gilroy Road, Nanjemoy, Maryland 20662 until Service time, 11:00am. Interment, Church Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, Maryland.