RONALD EARL COWARD, son of the late William and Esther Coward Hicks, was born on February 3, 1948 in Kinston, North Carolina and departed into eternal rest on July 23, 2011 at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System. Ronald was called "Ron and Ronnie" by many of his family and friends. During his lifetime he had a variety of jobs. For a number of years, Ronald worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken and St.Agnes Hospital. Ronald retired from St.Agnes Hospital because of his health condition. One of Ronald's favorite pastime was driving his red Potiac GTO during his early teen years. He also enjoyed cooking, bowling, skating and going to North Carolina to visit his family. he enjoyed watching sports on television. Ronald met Donna Jones at St. Agnes Hospital. They were joined in holy matrimony on February 4, 2006 in Baltimore, Maryland. Ronald leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Donna Jones Coward; four daughter, Theresa Robinson Lloyd, Ornatta McFadden Leon, Antoinette Stanley Eric and Veronica Coward; four sons, Erice Coward, Keith Richardson Sandra, Darnell Hebron and Darrell Hebron; two aunts, Emma L. Henderson of Kinston, North Carolina and Velma C. Hicks Clarence; twenty gradchildren, Melissa, Latisha, Terrell, Amber, Eron, Eric Jr., Daliyah, Deja, Daria, Darnisha, De'adra, Danae, Darrielle, Darrel Jr., Kayla, Erica, Kelia, Dyjai, Monica and Saphira; two adopted children, Jonathan M. Jones, Jr. and Alicia T. Wade; three sisters-in-law, Jeanette Porter, Sheila Jackson Charles and Barbara Byrd; two brothers-in-law, Edward Porter and Robert Porter; and a host of other relatives and friends.