Lawrence Hicks

Lawrence Hicks, 91, was born in Cedar County, on Feb. 20, 1932, to Artie Theodore Hicks and Ruth Elizabeth Pike Hicks. He was the youngest child of six. He had one brother, Clarence, and four sisters, Ruby, Grace, Artie and Alene. He grew up with a strong worth ethic, helping his father and mother on the farm. His father raised and sold tobacco, watermelon and other farm produce to sell, while his mother had a large number of laying hens, selling eggs. Starting in his youth he was a hard worker, helping them on the farm and later baling and hauling hay, working for Clyde Dale, and some on his own. He followed their example by growing and selling watermelons, with his children helping. He used to farm the old-fashioned way, by using Belgian horses and using the old implements for work around the farm.

He was a lifelong resident of Cedar County, around the El Dorado Springs area. He attended Whitehall School and continued when it consolidated into the El Dorado Springs R-2 School, graduating in 1949. He married Delores LaVerne Reaves, on June 13, 1951. They were blessed, or cursed, depending on how you looked at it, in having and raising eight children: Lawrence Lee, Joyce, Shirley, Carol, Doug, Janet, Cheryl and Brenda. They had no favorites, unless you ask each of the children, and they confess it was them.

He worked at various jobs including a local service station, owned by Olin Hopkins, ran a home sawmill business, the Shoe Factory and worked the longest, 30 years, for Mid-America Dairy, retiring in 1992. While working there he served as a Union Steward. He retired early to help take care of his wife, who had early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. He took care of her as long as he could until she was placed at the Barone Care Center, in Nevada. He was there almost every day to see her until she left for her heavenly home.

He did a lot of hunting and fishing. He used to ‘coon hunt, with his dogs, and occasionally, one or more of the kids coming along. He also enjoyed deer and turkey hunting, and fishing. He spent a lot of time on the river trotline fishing, and later, had a pond built to enjoy fishing when he could no longer make it to the river.

He was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and knowing the one way to be in heaven for eternity. He was a member of the El Dorado Springs Missionary Baptist Church and before that a member of Union Hall Baptist Church. He liked to share scriptures verses with family and church members. He also had a love of singing, especially a lot of the older hymns.

He departed for his heavenly home, on Dec. 24, 2023, ready to go and see Delores again.   He leaves behind his family legacy of over 100 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was the last surviving member of his family, with his parents and siblings predeceasing him; along with his wife of 60 years, Delores; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is survived by all of his children: Lawrence Lee, Batiste, Oklahoma; Joyce Wallace – Nevada, Shirley and Gary Vickers – Harwood, Carol and Greg Girven – El Dorado Springs, Doug and Sue Hicks – Bastiste, OK, Janet Hicks and Oscar Heredia – High Hill, Cheryl Layton, Kirksville, Brenda and Bill Parsley – El Dorado Springs; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He will be missed and remembered by those whose lives he impacted throughout his lifetime. We celebrate his homecoming, and for those born again, look forward to seeing him when our time comes, too!

Services were held Thursday, Dec. 28, at the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery, under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. The minister was Brother Devon Orbin.