Mary Frances Hall Hicks

With gratitude for a long, faithful life, we share the passing of our beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend, Mary Frances Hicks, of Greensboro, North Carolina. Mary went home to the Lord on October 4, 2026, just weeks before her 92nd birthday. She was born in Greensboro on October 29, 1934, and, true to her nature, made a steady, grace-filled life in the very community that first welcomed her.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Mary Jane Hicks; her brothers, Thomas F. Hall and his wife, Joy, of Greensboro, and Larry J. Hall of Charlotte. Welcoming her in Heaven are her husband of 73 years, James “Jim” M. Hicks; her older brother, Pearlie R. Hall of Jamestown; and her parents, Pearlie R. Hall and Lena Craven Hall.

Quiet by temperament and steadfast in spirit, Mary built a life around faith, family, and the everyday kindnesses that make a home. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant in a variety of office settings, where her calm presence, careful eye, and reliability were both noticed and needed. She completed her career at Kay Chemical Company (now Ecolab) in Greensboro, retiring after years of faithful service that reflected her belief that good work is a form of care. Mary and Jim were most themselves together— “doing and going”, as the family says—with a shared love for welcoming others. Their door was open for open houses, dinners, and overnight visits; linens were fresh, the table set just so, and there was always room for one more plate. Mary was meticulous in the best way: not fussy, but thoughtful, she had a gift for noticing what would make someone comfortable and at ease. Family gatherings, whether for her side or Jim’s, were among her greatest joys.

Church life anchored Mary’s days. First at Palm Street Christian Church and later at Christ Wesleyan Church after a cross-town move, she found purpose in worship, service, and song. She sang in the choir, cherished Southern Gospel concerts, and often sat at the piano, letting hymns say what words could not. Her faith was not loud; it was lived—an unbroken thread running through the way she spoke, worked, traveled, and loved. Mary delighted in seeing God’s world, traveling across the United States and abroad with Jim. Even on the road, she carried Greensboro with her: the rhythms of Sunday service, the cadence of hospitality, and the quiet assurance that home is a place you make for others as much as for yourself. They opened their homes and hosted many both near and far with fellowship. Those who knew Mary will remember her for her warm, quiet manner, her devotion to her family, and the steady Christian spirit she showed in all things. She leaves us a clear legacy: love your people well; serve the Lord faithfully; keep a song in your heart; and make room at the table.

Funeral will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the Sedgefield Mausoleum Chapel, Guilford Memorial Park, 6000 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family through this online memorial page. The family thanks you for your prayers and kindness during this time.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont or your preferred charity.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is honored to serve the Hicks family.