Esther Hicks

Esther Hicks, 91, of Oceana, parted this life on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at home following a long illness. She was the widow of Ralph Edward Hicks. Esther and Ralph were well known throughout the community; they owned and operated Rick’s Drive Inn, better known for serving the “Best Food in Town”. They were talented singers and instrumentalists; they enjoyed singing at WWYO radio station in their younger years, in the church choir, at community gatherings and later joined the Gospel Proclaimers. Born February 15, 1924 at her parents’ home up Elk Lick Holler in Clear Fork, WV, she was the daughter of the late Bernie and Ethel Bradbury Short. Esther was the first born child of seven and spoke of them daily. She was fulfilled by her upbringing and proud of everything her parents did for their family and friends. Esther was a lifelong member of Clear Fork Advent Christian Church. She will be remembered by many, carrying that base guitar to church on Sundays. She was a member of the Eastern Star of West Virginia, 100 Mullens. She was preceded in death by family members: husband, Ralph Hicks (1979); father, Bernie Short (1986); mother, Ethel Bradbury Short (1995); sister, Geneva (2000) and Chauncie Pennington (2002); brother, Gene Short (2012); brothers-in-law, Jimmy Goins (1999) and Gene Tunney Cook (2014); and son-in-law, Roy Wooten (2000). She is survived by her five children: son, Rickey Hicks and wife, Janet of Oceana, daughter, Brenda Norris and husband, Pat of Huddleston, VA, son, Gerald Kent Hicks and wife, Susan of Bradley, daughter, Judy Hartfelder and husband, George of Palm Coast, FL and daughter, Regina Wooten of Huddleston, VA. Esther was blessed with twelve grandchildren that she lovingly referred to as her “Dirty Dozen”: Rickey, Jr. and Chasity Hicks of Oceana, Tanya and Eric Webb of Huddleston, VA, Jessica Hicks of Oceana, Tammy Sanford of Elrod, AL, Lisa and John Fulghum of Spring Hope, NC, Jerry and Renee Marks of Cottondale, AL, Amy and Ben Hill of Hillsborough, NC, Kevin Hicks of Hillsborough, NC, Charlie Hartfelder of Hanover Park, IL, Teresa Middleton of Altamounte Springs, FL, Meletha and Rusty Adkins of Moneta, VA and Thomas and Jenny Wooten of Huddleston, VA. She loved and enjoyed spending time with her twenty four great-grandchildren. Esther is also survived by two brothers, Gerald Short and wife, Faye of Oceana and Clarence Dale Short and wife, Gayle of Strongsville, OH and two sisters, Joyce Cook of Clear Fork and Janet Goins Dixon and husband, Fillmore of Clear Fork. Honorary pallbearers will be Rickey Hicks, Jr, Kevin Hicks, Jerry Lee Marks, Thomas Wooten, Mark Cook and Gregg Pennington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to: Hospice of Southern West Virginia, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.