Myrtle L. "Joan" Hicks

Myrtle L. “Joan” Hicks of Olathe, Kansas, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025, at 6:21 a.m., surrounded by her family, at the age of 83. She was born on June 21, 1942, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the union of Erma Irene Owsley and Artez James Jones.

Joan was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri School District and graduated from Manual High School. She enjoyed a brief career as a NICU nurse at General Hospital before devoting herself full-time to raising her three daughters. As a parent advocate and active volunteer in the Kansas City, Missouri, School District, Joan became known as the “room parent extraordinaire.” She planned countless classroom celebrations and continued that loving tradition with her grandchildren.

She delighted in creating joyful experiences for her family—taking her daughters to lessons in ice skating, dance, music, and swimming. One of her favorite traditions was enjoying Sunday family picnics in the park after church. Mom continued creating these meaningful experiences with her grandchildren that will stay with them for a lifetime. She enjoyed doing science experiments, shuttling them to activities, teaching them to bake and cook from scratch and making a memorable occasion out of every holiday and birthday.

Joan was a gifted crafter who found joy in needlepoint, ceramics, gardening, and reading with her grandchildren. She was a phenomenal cook, and many cherished memories were made in her kitchen. Cooking was her love language, and she generously shared it with others. A lover of the arts, she enjoyed jazz, opera, ballet, the symphony, and the music of Bruno Mars, and she had a lifelong fascination with the British Royal Family, especially Queen Elizabeth II. Joan was also a proud and devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Donna LeAnn Swopes; her parents Erma Owsley and Artez Jones; and her niece Tishawna Owsley.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Her sister Irene Owsley, daughters Rhonda D. Hicks-Smith (Quintin) of Houston, Texas, and Karen Ellis (Herm) of Raymore, Missouri; her grandchildren, Kristan “Dani” Hicks, Kellia N. Hicks, Grayson A. Smith, Channing E. Hicks Smith, Jaia R. Henson, and bonus grandchildren Leslie DelasBour, Himee Kamatuka, Kondja Kamatuka, and Jakuaterua Kamatuka. She also leaves to cherish her memory great-grandchildren, Amahri D. Bowers, Ava D. Bowers, and Kannon Lee Johnson. Also left to cherish her memory is her chosen son Wayne Martin (Talaine) of Lawrence, KS; her best sister-friend of 68 years, Kay Frances Porter (Charles) of Kansas City, Mo. & special sister-Friend, Louisa Kamatuka (Ngondi) of Lawrence, KS; nieces Rochelle Owsley, Andrea Owsley, and Ronisse Dean, and nephew Brian Owsley; her chosen nieces & nephew Kathy Shepherd, Angie Fowler & Charles Porter Jr. (“Baby Boy”). Along with a host of great- and great-great-nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Doctors, Nurses, CNAs, Med Aides, Nurse Management Team, Life Coaches, and Hospice Care Team of the Evergreen Community of Johnson County for the exceptional care and compassion they showed Joan as a resident and throughout her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joan’s memory to: The Evergreen Community of Johnson County – Mill Creek Neighborhood