Nancy Worrell Hicks

Nancy Worrell Hicks, 82, passed away peacefully at Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, NC on Sunday, December 26, 2010, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Nancy is survived by her daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Hicks of Raleigh, by her son, Isham Faison Hicks, and wife, Susan Cole Hicks of Charlotte, and by her grandchildren, Elias James Faison Hicks of Charlotte, Elizabeth McIver Barefoot of Bethesda, Maryland, Thomas Nolen Barefoot, Jr., of Raleigh and Rachel MacIver Hicks of Charlotte. She is also survived by her brother and sisters, James Everett Worrell, Barbara Jane Worrell and Frances Worrell Jones, all of Greenville, SC, and Sara Worrell Newton of Thomson, GA, as well as her many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Nancy Hicks was born in Greenville, SC, on October 14, 1928, the daughter of the late Joseph Preston Worrell and Mary Ray Worrell. She attended Furman University, where she served as Class President for three consecutive years, and was one of two women to be inducted into AEW, a fraternity of pre-medical students. She met and married her husband of 30 years, Faison Moseley Hicks, while he was stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

Nancy and Faison moved to Raleigh in 1958. She became a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as President of the Women of the Church, as well as deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher. Nancy was an Assistant Vice President of First Federal Savings and Loan Association and worked in the legal and real estate fields with her husband, Faison, and cousin, Robinson O. Everett.

Nancy served her family, friends, church, and community unselfishly with dignity and charm, and always with good humor and joy. Her distinctive laugh is remembered by many. She was a loyal and ever present friend to people of all ages and walks of life. She earned and enjoyed the love and respect of all those whose lives she brightened.

The family will visit with friends at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on St. Mary’s St. in Raleigh, NC on Tuesday evening, January 4, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service to honor Nancy’s life will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on Canterbury Road in Raleigh on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception in the Parish Hall to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations to the following organizations be considered: The Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511 or to The Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, www.alz.org.