Obituary of Jean Carolyn Hicks

Jean Carolyn Hicks, 94, went home to be with her Savior Saturday, May 11, 2024, with family by her bedside. Jean was born in Carrboro, NC to Harvey and Margaret Knight where her father was the storekeeper for CarrMill. She grew up under the shadow of the Great Depression which helped lay the foundation of who she was. She was part of that Great Generation who worked hard to provide for their families, faced deprivation every day and loved their country devotedly. 

Because of many family moves, Jean attended 5 different schools before settling in Cedar Grove where her father helped a brother with his farm and opened a country store. She enjoyed playing basketball and participating in dances at her school. When she was 17, she went to the local baseball field to watch the games and met one of the star players. After 6 weeks of courtship, they eloped to Florida, and she became the wife of Donnell Hicks. 

Becoming homesick they returned to North Carolina and Jean began to raise a family with Donnell in the small community of Efland where they lived together for 42 years. Upon the death of her father, Harvey, whom she and her husband cared for, the family farm was sold, and Jean’s mother came to live with the family. In 1955, at the height of Donnell’s baseball career and 3 children in the home, the couple attended a local church revival meeting conducted by a man they had begun listening to preach on the radio. God drew them both to Himself and they were called to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. This work of grace changed the whole focus of their lives. A baseball career was abandoned, and the Church and its service became the center of their life. Five years later they were burdened to start a church that was faithful to the whole word of God in teaching the whole truth and they began a Bible study and prayer meeting in their home. A local church was formed, and a building purchased in Buckhorn, NC. They became founding members of Community Baptist Church which later became Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Mebane. Donnell served as a deacon, Jean as a Sunday school teacher and secretary of the church. For the remainder of their lives together they served the church until Donnell’s passing.

They were married 42 years and raised 5 children. Jean continued to attend the church, serve the brethren, and pray faithfully for the members. Jean enjoyed many times of fellowship with the brethren there. Jean moved from Efland to Graham and took part in many local activities including line dancing with the local Alamance County Line dancing group. She took several classes in floral design and cake decorating and also received her GED from Alamance Community College and then her CNA certificate at the age of 68. She enjoyed her CNA work until her health began to decline. After 5 years of declining health, Jean moved to live at Compass Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Mebane until her passing into Heaven on Saturday morning, May 11, 2024.

Jean left 4 children David Hicks (Brenda) of Troy, Alabama, Dr. Greg Hicks (Marilyn) Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, Paul Hicks of Wilmington, NC, and Donna Van Dalen (Dr. Robert Van Dalen) Graham, NC. Her Daughter, Margaret VanNostrand (Ron), preceded her in death from cancer. Jean also left 9 grandchildren,18 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren. Jean had 11 siblings; Myrtle Brown, of Durham, remains the last living sibling.

A private burial took place at the family cemetery.

A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Reformed Baptist Church of 3rd St. Mebane, NC, Sunday, 3:00 pm, June 23, 2024.

The family wish to publicly thank Jean’s friends, family, Pastors, and fellow church members who faithfully visited her during her declining health and the Staff at Compass Healthcare for the devoted care and compassion shown to Jean and her family during her final days and hours of life.

Walker's Funeral Home, Mebane Chapel is honored to serve the Hicks family.