Obituary of Mary Elizbeth Hicks

~~Mary Elizabeth VanPelt Hicks, 85, of Spurger, Tx passed away Thursday morning, August 3, 2017, at Dogwood Trails Manor in Woodville, Tx.

She was born to the late Robert (Bob) and Neva Collier VanPelt on February 11, 1932 in Kirbyville, Tx.  Mary Beth lived most of her childhood and all of her adult life in Spurger.  She graduated in 1951 from Spurger High School 2nd in her class and in June of that summer she married her high school sweetheart, Johnny Matthew Hicks of Spurger.

Mary Beth was loved by so many in our community.  Her infectious laugh and smile brought the same from you.  She loved to sing and did so for her Lord and Savior at her church of 50 years, First Baptist Church of Spurger.  She has served in so many capacities during those years but her teaching children, whether it was Sunday School, Bible School or GA’s, she brought them the Word and taught them about Jesus Christ.  She led our church as music director off and on as she was needed and loved every minute.  She love working in her yard and it showed, it was always immaculate but so was her house.  She took pride in her family and loved them with all she had.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Johnny M. Hicks; a grandson, William Jackson (Billy) Hatton; three sisters, Velma Washington, Mattie Baimbridge, Betty Sue Reddick; two brothers, Sonny VanPelt and Buddy VanPelt.

Mary Beth is survived by her loving family, children, Pam Hatton of Spurger; Roy Hicks and wife, Angela of Warren, Phil Hicks and wife, Angie of Livingston, and David Lynn Hicks and wife, Christene of Gillette, Wyoming; grandchildren, Brad Hatton and wife, Toni of Spurger, Michael Hatton and wife, Amanda of Silsbee, Jamey Hicks and wife, Christy of Tyler, Shelly Hicks of Warren, Corey Hicks and wife, Kourtnie of Lumberton, Roxanne Slaten and husband, Justin of Kingfisher, OK, Brandon Hicks and wife, Krishana of Livingston, Kayla Mullens and husband, Lance of Livingston, Chase Hicks and wife, Christi of Livingston, Matthew Hicks of Beaumont, Shawn Hicks and wife, Abbie of Gillette, Wyoming, Cody Hicks of New York, NY, E3 Troy Allan Hicks serving in the United States Army stationed in Camp Carrol, Waegwan, South Korea, Justin McGalin of Gillette, Wyoming, Jessica Daniel and husband, Josh of Gillette, Wyoming and Kimberly Land of Livingston; thirty-one great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Funeral service will be held Monday, August 7, 2017, at 10 am at the First Baptist Church of Spurger with Brother David Nugent officiating.  Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Sunday, August 6, 2017, from 5 pm until 8pm at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brad Hatton, Michael Hatton, Jamey Hicks, Corey Hicks, Brandon Hicks, Chase Hicks, Matthew Hicks, Shawn Hicks.  Serving honorary pallbearer will be E3 Troy Allan Hicks, US Army, Cody Hicks and Justin McGalin.

Services are under the direction of Riley Funeral Home of Tyler County.