Delores Kaye Brown Hicks

Delores Kaye Brown Hicks (née Mast), born in Fairview, Michigan, on August 20, 1939, passed away on May 17, 2026, surrounded by boundless love. A proud graduate of Midland High School, Dee went on to become a beloved mother, devoted grandmother, and trailblazing businesswoman who was deeply loved and admired by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

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Professional Legacy 🏠

Professionally, Dee was a force of nature. As a highly successful real estate broker and astute property investor, she proudly founded and operated her own company, Hernando East Realty, alongside her dear friend and business partner, Terri Woodall. Together, they navigated the real estate world with unmatched vision, integrity, and grace. Through their hard work and determination, they built a lasting professional legacy, earning the deep respect of their colleagues, clients, and community.

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A Heart for Family and Home 🍳

Yet, for all her remarkable achievements in business, she always maintained that her true life's work and greatest joy was her family. Her most cherished titles were "Mom" and "Grandma." She poured her heart into raising her children and doted endlessly on her grandbabies.

An exceptional cook, Dee found immense joy in preparing meals for those she loved. Her kitchen was the true heart of her home—a sanctuary of warmth, laughter, and delicious aromas where everyone felt welcomed and valued. Beyond her home, Dee had a deep and lifelong love for all sports, especially baseball, and she could always be found passionately cheering on her favorite teams, the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Dolphins. She was the steady cornerstone of our family, the one who gathered us around her table and her television to celebrate life's moments together.

Her fiercely loving spirit, generous heart, and unwavering strength will be profoundly missed, but the beautiful impact she made on our lives will remain forever.

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Survivors and Family 🌳

Dee's legacy of love shines brightest through the family she built. She is survived by her loving children and the families they created, bringing her the greatest pride and joy of her life: her 20 treasured grandchildren and 16 beloved great-grandchildren, whom she loved beyond measure.

She is lovingly remembered by her children and their families:

• Kelly Berlin of Brooksville, FL, and her children: Amy Noerr (Ben) and Steven Putnam

• Kim Vanderbush of Monroe, NC, and children: Casy Vanderbush (Shanley)

• Kendal Wheeler and her husband, Paul of Midland, TX, and their children: Michael Wheeler (Kristen) and Ryan Wheeler (Ashley)

• Kathy Hockemeyer of Ridge Manor, FL, and her children: Shane Hockemeyer (Heather) and Rochelle Hockemeyer

Dee is also survived by her stepchildren and grandchildren of the Brown Family and Hicks Family; her sister, Jean; her dear friend and business partner, Terri Woodall and son, Braydon Woodall; and a host of extended family and friends who will carry her memory in their hearts.

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Preceded in Death 🙏

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Viola (Yoder) Mast; her stepparents, Reba and Dale Fultz; her siblings, Maynard, Phyllis, James, Dean, Alice, and Dale; her daughter-in-law, Vicky Vanderbush; her son-in-law, Rick Berlin; her granddaughter, Heather Vanderbush; and her beloved husbands, Ralph Brown, to whom she was married for over 20 years until his passing, and James Hicks, her best friend and favorite traveling companion, to whom she was married from February 25, 2006 until his passing on January 16, 2026.

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Service Information 🕊️

A celebration of her beautiful life will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 12:30 PM at Florida National Cemetery located at 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513.