Catherine Hicks Lee

Catherine Hicks Lee passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the age of 93. Born May 28, 1930, to Catherine Maurine and Dr. W. Harold Hicks in Hereford, Texas, she was the oldest of four children and the only daughter. Married to her beloved husband, Dr. William R. Lee for 66 years, they lived in Baton Rouge for over 50 years. The highlight of her life was being the mother to their three children, Susan L. Robison, Laurie L. Fricke, and David Lee.

Catherine met her beloved Bill in 9th grade at Little Rock Senior High School where she graduated as valedictorian. She continued her education graduating cum laude from Baylor University with a B. A. degree and from the University of Arkansas with a Master’s degree in English. She taught in the public schools of Little Rock, Arkansas, Madison, Wisconsin, the University of Texas at Austin, and part-time at LSU.

After the couple married on June 30, 1953, they left their Arkansas roots for Bill to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin. Catherine would fondly say that she completed her Ph.T (put hubby through). They also lived in Bloomington, Indiana, Austin, Texas, and The Netherlands before moving to Baton Rouge in 1967. Wherever she lived, Catherine was active in a Baptist church. She trusted and followed Jesus as her Lord and Savior and loved serving His church. As a devoted member of University Baptist Church for 57 years, she taught Sunday School, served in the WMU, rang bells, sang in the choir, directed VBS, and taught international students English by reading the book of Mark.

Catherine enjoyed traveling with her husband as he presented his research at international scientific conferences in Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand, Turkey, and Israel. She and Bill were fond of horseback riding with their children in the Pecos Wilderness of New Mexico. An avid reader, she delighted in sharing books with her friends in the 39ers Book Club, and in the LSU Afternoon Book Club. She took pleasure entertaining in her home her friends in PEO, Chapter C, and Campus Club.

Catherine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She deeply loved her husband and family. She is survived by her three children, Susan L. Robison (Vaughn), Laurie L. Fricke (John), and David W. Lee (Barbara). She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jacob Robison, Caleb (Alex) Robison, Marlon (Rachel) Funez, Colin Lee, Daniel Lee, Kyle Fricke, Kayla (Kevin) Pence, and Cody Fricke, and nine great-grandchildren: Rhett and Ladd Robison, Caroline, Ellie, and Blair Robison, Evelyn and Olivia Funez, and Oliver and Christopher Pence, and her brothers, Joe (Linda) Hicks, Bill (Iris) Hicks, and John (Nancy) Hicks. She loved and was loved and will be deeply missed.

A visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 10 am until time of service at 11 am. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Please visit www.greenoaksfunerals.com to leave condolences to the family.