Mary Lee Hawthorne

Mary Lee Hawthorne, age 84, transitioned from this life on August 11, 2019 to enter her eternal rest. Mary Lee (as she was also known) was the first of five children born to Lexsee and Mary Nickson, Sr. on November 25, 1934 in Branch, Louisiana. Later the family moved from Branch to Beaumont, Texas where she would later graduate from Charlton Pollard High School.

At an early age, Mary discovered her love for music. Although many knew she was an amazing soloist, only a few knew of her talent as a choir director. In her 20’s she directed the young adult choir at McGovern Street Christ Sanctified Holiness Church in Beaumont, Texas. Under her leadership, the choir was known throughout the district. They were especially known for their rousing rendition of Clara Ward’s Packin’ Up.

A couple of years after graduating high school, she was introduced to Joseph Londo by his sister, and it wasn’t long before they married. From this union, Mary would give birth to her only child Sherry.

In the 1960’s, Mary moved to Denver, Colorado with her daughter. She continued singing in church at Campbell Chapel A.M.E. It was in this city where she discovered her love for nursing and began her career as a nurse’s aid at Denver General Hospital. She later moved to Kansas City, Kansas where she continued to pursue nursing and earn her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) degrees from Kansas City Kansas Community College. She so excelled in her studies that she was published in Who’s Who In Junior Colleges. Mary loved nursing and was employed for many years by Bethany Hospital as well as Visiting Nurses Association in Wyandotte County.

Mary was a faithful member of her beloved church Eighth Street Baptist church where she was a faithful member for 50 years. During this time, she was a member of Sunday school, missions, Nurses Ministry, and the Imperial and Gospel Choirs.

Mary Lee (Nickson) Hawthorne was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dellie Hawthorne, Jr., her parents, Lexsee and Mary Catherine (Jones) Nickson, Sr., her brothers: David Nickson, Dr. Lexsee Nickson, Jr., and Rev. Robert Nickson, and her sister Rose Ana (Nickson) Polk.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her daughter, Sherry Londo-Thomas, her grandson Jason Thomas, and her granddaughters, Jessica Thomas (Okwudiri Onyedum) and Jaymye Thomas.

Also mourning her passing are her stepchildren: Vanessa Woods, Denise Watson, and Robert Watson, Jr. and her step-grandchildren: Meridith Nicole Watson, Twania Watson, and DeAnthony Woods as well as a host of beloved relatives and precious friends.