after a brief illness.
Jo is predeceased by her loving husband, John C. Hicks. They were married in Bossier City,
Louisiana in 1953 and were married for 50 years. She is also predeceased by her two sons,
John Joel Hicks and James Houston Hicks, and her two brothers, John Clois Arender and Bill
Martin Arender and many beloved aunts, uncles, and MawMaw and Pop Hicks.
Jo is lovingly remembered by her children, devoted daughter Karen Mullins and her husband,
Robert Mullins of Bossier City, LA; daughter Judy Thomas and her husband, John Thomas of
Fort Walton Beach, FL; daughter Sandra Brownson and her husband Roger Brownson of New
Orleans, LA; grandchildren Jill Benson of Brooklyn, NY; Joshua Thomas of Fort Walton Beach;
Jonathan Usrey of Bossier City, LA; Jennifer Thomas of Fort Walton Beach, FL; Lindsay
Rankins of River Ridge, LA; Brandon Brownson of New Orleans, LA. Great-Grandchildren Kate
Thomas, Jaycee Thomas; Pak Slentz, Mia Usrey; Kaylee Shelton, Bradley Shelton; Landon
Rankins. Sisters Elaine Chatterson of Bossier City, LA; Brenda Stillwell of Allen, TX; Becky
Ahmed of Shreveport, LA. Nieces and Nephews Kurt Chatterson; Gina Ianuzzi, Katherine
Bauer, Ryan Stillwell, Katelyn Stillwell, Martin Arender, Gary Arender, Mike Arender and their
sisters Belinda, Tina, and Pam.
Pam Mullins Ersoff called her “Mama.” Jean Burkes and Len White, also, called her “Mama” and
she loved them all dearly.
They would like to thank Cookie, JoAnn, and Gloria at THE HAIR PLACE for taking care of
Granny Jo every week with such loving care.
Jo was born in Yazoo, Mississippi on January 4th, 1935. She was born to Gathel and Lottie
Arender. She graduated from Bossier High School in 1953 and went on to earn a Cosmetology
Degree from Geneva’s Beauty School. She worked as a Hairdresser for 30 years. She also
proudly worked for Russell Stover Candies for 13 years. She retired and was living with Karen,
Robert, and Pam at the time of her death.
Jo enjoyed reading every kind of books, she loved nature, and taking walks. She took pride in
her Native American heritage and had spent many years collecting Native American artifacts
with her husband when he was living.
Jo was baptised in the Tinsley Creek in Tinsley, Mississippi when she was 12 years old. There
were many days that Jo talked of Jesus and how we are not promised another day. She thanked God for every day she woke up.
Due to Covid-19 concerns, a small graveside Memorial service will be May 8th at 2pm at Hill Crest Cemetery in Haughton, Louisiana. After the service, there will be an outdoor gathering at 1137 Waller Avenue, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71112, at Karen and Robert Mullins’ home.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice or consider
donating to Alzheimer’s research in honor of Judy Hicks Thomas, Jo’s daughter with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Special thanks to the Ochsner’s-LSU Emergency Room Nurses and Doctors that were so
wonderful during Jo’s brief illness that sadly took her away from us and to St. Joseph’s Hospice.
