Mrs. Hicks was one of my favorite teachers at Wills High School. She made History fun, interesting, serious, unforgettable. She taught in a way that was easy to absorb. One of the fun things was, we never ended a class without hearing about one of her adventures. She loved telling us about Elvis. We all knew each day was going to be fun, but we also knew when it was serious time as well. She loved to pull down her map and show us where she had been. Not only was she an amazing teacher, she was someone we knew we could come to and know she was there to help when we needed to talk and needed advice. We didn’t have to feel judged. She was one of our teachers that we felt as a safe place. She is one of the reasons that History was one of my favorite subjects and I was able to share things and help make history fun for my kids. 

Thanks Mrs Hicks for all you did for us all. May God bless and comfort your family and friends.

Mrs. Hicks was one of my favorite teachers at Wills HS. She always expected the best from her students and made class fun! I'll always remember listening to her stories of travel to far off locations and interacting with people of other nations. As an educator she is one in a million! Rest is Peace wonderful lady.

Mrs Hicks was such a classy lady and always full of wonderful stories of her life and her teaching experiences.  One great memory I have is going to see the movie Fifty Shades with her and Rebecca.   Fun times .  

Mrs Hicks was a wonderful teacher, not just because of her immense knowledge of social studies topics but also her demeanor. She was more professional than some and still more understanding than others. She expected our best efforts, knew when we did or didn't give it and displayed evidence of great humor. She didn't take teenaged hijinks too seriously but didn't overlook serious issues with discourteous behavior. I think of her fondly to this day. 


My mother was a wonderful person who loved her children. She took us with her everywhere. Whether she visited friends, or went to the store, she had us with her. I enjoyed going to Michigan every year to see her dad, friends, and family. It made me want to take my children everywhere I went as well. I also appreciate the conversations she would have with me about life and her experiences. I believe this is why she lived so long. She always wanted to help people learn, as a teacher would. I am grateful that she got to live as long as she did. She will be greatly missed!

I met Irene through my Dad, Dan, at the Parc at Piedmont. Dan and Irene became close friends almost immediately when Irene arrived at the Parc. Dan and Irene had several years of companionship and friendship. It was a privilege to be a part of her life and journey. Her smile and laughter will always be remembered.

I feel so lucky to have know Irene for over 34 years.  Her  youngest daughter Rebecca and I are close friends, and I was so honored to be included in many wonderful family celebrations.  Irene made such a lasting impact on me with her intelligence, kindness, and great sense of humor.  She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.  May her memory be a blessing.  

Love,
Rachael Goldberg

My Grandma was such a precious, caring person! She always wanted to talk and have a conversation with you. She was my last-living grandparent and I’m thankful that she got to live a long, enriched life! My favorite memories with her were from when we’d come and visit her at her house and spend the night during the summer. I remember we always went swimming at the pool, watched old movies together, and made waffles for breakfast. It’s the little things that stay with you. As we got older, we would make sure to celebrate her birthday every year because it was a big deal she was still here year after year. That’s pretty amazing she lived to be 93. We also looked forward to having Thanksgiving dinner together every year.  Little did we know, she would not make it to Thanksgiving 2020.  I do wish she would have been here to see me get married one day, but at least she was able to see Nicole and Jessica get married. 
We will always cherish every moment we had with her.  I love you, Grandma!

Irene was my mother in law. No mother ever wants to give her daughter away to a guy, but from day one, when I started dating her daughter Alexandra, she treated me with respect and I never once felt as if I wasn't welcome in the Hicks family. Irene and I would sit and chat about history stuff, because I was interested in history and she was extremely knowledgeable about it. She was a teacher in the 50's of military kids in Germany, and was actually a teacher for Priscilla Presley, before the time she met Elvis. She shared that with me and I found that fascinating. She loved to talk about the British royal line of succession of the kings and queens, which I could sit for hours and listen to her. After Alex and I gave Irene her first grandchild, she was an awesome grandmother. Irene was a fantastic cook. She made this artichoke salad which I had never had, until she prepared it. I loved it. No one else ate it but just her and I. She said she always made it for me because I liked it. She was a fascinating person to sit and just talk with. Her travel escapades intrigued me. Her stories of travelling inspired me to actually go to London to spend almost three weeks with her daughter Alex while she was in college. It was in London where I asked Alex to marry me. Now at 31 years of marriage, I want to honor Irene for her love and example of how a good marriage should be. Her and her husband John were married and together until his death in 1994. I will always miss you Irene, for your intelligence, your wittiness, and your love to your son in law. May you dance with the angels now.

What an amazing women and wonderful mother! She was my best friend and biggest fan. She had me late in life, so I feel extremely blessed that I had so many years of precious memories with her. Mom filled our lives with such happiness and love. She will truly be missed! 

What a beautiful gift is life and it's evident that Ms. Irene led a life well lived. God bless you and your family.

I was a student of Mrs. Hicks at Wills High School. It was 1978, my Jr year and one day she asked for student volunteers to go to Rose Garden School which was a Special Needs school in Smyrna, a few times a week. We got some kind of credit for it. Sandra Able and I were the only ones to volunteer. I also continued to go until I graduated in 1979. I learned so much from that experience  and continued to work with Special Needs children for several years. I LOVE history and I couldn’t have had a better teacher. Please accept my condolences and I pray peace and comfort o Er your family.  Mary Ashcraft


I just wanted to say thank you, everyone for your kind condolences! This has been a hard time for all of us, but all of these kind words and sweet stories has made this a little easier. It just shows she really has touch a lot of hearts in her life! If anyone has any pictures or and stories they would like to share with me I would love to save them for our memories! My email is mrs.laucella@icloud.com.  Thank you so much  all of these thoughts and prayers really means a lot to us!! 

Mrs Hicks was one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met, and I loved the way she treated me as one of her own when I came to spend the night with Elizabet when we were growing up. She was a wonderful mom, evidenced by seeing her daughter, Elizabeth, with her own children. Our loss is Heaven’s gain and I’ll be praying for you all as you learn to live without your mom by your side. There’s almost no deeper pain. Love you all, Lisa. 

Irene was a wonderful and supporting mother! She was always wanting us to be successful and happy. She supported our dreams and was always my biggest fan! Here is a picture of her holding my granddaughter and her Great granddaughter! A legacy of strong and beautiful women for years to come! Thank you Mom for being the most wonderful human being!

Mrs. Hicks was one of my teachers in high school. I remember her as being extremely kind. Prayers and love for her family during this time. 

I taught with Irene at Wills and Campbell High Schools. She was a fascinating person and a good teacher. Irene taught oversees before coming to Cobb County and she had many interesting stories to tell. The Wills and Campbell families are sad to lose this
friend. 

She was one of my favorite teachers.  A delightful person who was one of the several great teachers that fostered my love of History.  


An amazing, beautiful woman who raised amazing, beautiful women - and raised wonderful families - the world is a better place because of you being in it dear Irene.

Irene Hicks was my best friend and the best grandmother and great grandmother anyone could ever ask for!! She had such a young spirit and always loved to go shopping and get her hair and nails done! She was so kind hearted and  touched so many lives!! She had such an amazing life everyone loves to hear her wonderful stories about teaching in Morocco and Germany and how she traveled and got to do all the things she loves! 
She was such a wonderful and beautiful person and I will miss her so much!!  

OBITUARY

Irene Rose Hicks

June 12, 1927 – November 26, 2020

Woodstock Funeral Home

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