Gwen Lee Cooper Hicks

Gwen Lee Cooper Hicks left her earthly home, November 04, 2011 to join her Lord and Savior in Heaven.She was born March 22, 1935 in Rocky Mount, NC, to Opie Horace Cooper and Minnie Phine Jackson Cooper. She attended Rocky Mount High School, graduating top in her Class. She graduated from Chowan College, receiving her secretarial Science Degree. Gwen retired from Probate Court as a Legal Clerk for Judge Patsy Stone.Gwen was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for Children and Adults. She sang in the Church Choir and also a member of Grace Notes, WMU and Homebound Ministry. In years past Gwen had a jail ministry where she shared her testimony and taught Bible Lessons to inmates. Another ministry Gwen and Bobby had was taking in many friends and relatives, aiding them emotionally and spiritually, leading many to the Lord. She was blessed with a beautiful Soprano voice and was often invited to speak and sing at various Christian Women's organizations. Beloved wife of 41 years, her husband Bobby Lerans Hicks survives her.Bobby and Gwen traveled extensively through their married years, visiting almost every state and also Canada, Europe and the Netherlands. Surviving other than her husband, Bobby are daughters, Becky (John) Morris and Heather Lynne Hicks (Randal) Robinson both of Florence; step-daughters, Bonnie (Richard) Stiles of Loris and Celeste Souza of Garden City. Also surviving are her adored grandchildren, Keith Powell, Garrett Poston, Mollye (Del) Baker , Robbin (Amber) Thompson, Brandon (Anthony) Ward all of Florence; step-granddaughters, Erica and Megan Stiles and a step-grandson, Brandon Souza; great-grandchildren, Chase Pierce, McKenzie Thompson, Cameron Baker,Morgan Thompson, and Carter Ward; two special cousins, John (Vickie) Wells and Judy ells both of Rocky Mount, NC; sister-in-law, Claudia Burley of Florence; cousins, Mendell and Joann Brown of Timmonsville; Lifetime friend, Faye Fussell of NC, Lynne Miller of Ala, Mary Carter, Marilyn and Richard Powers of Timmonsville, Mary Helen and Cliff Camack of Florence, all loving and dedicated friends. Tragically preceding her in death, her son, Keith Adams (17) and step-son, Kent Hicks (18) both murdered in May, 1980. The family lovingly thanks caregivers Peggy, Kristen, Jill, Brooke, and Laurie from Home Senior Care for their dedicated service caring for their loved one. Also thanks to Carolinas Hospice, Victoria, Georgia , Judy and Robin. Special thanks to family friends, Donna Poston Hobbs who Lovingly cared for Gwen. Mama Gwen loved you dearly and so do we. Thank you is not enough. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 07, 2011 at Calvary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Florence Memorial Gardens, directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home and other time at the residence.