Rachel Reade Hicks

Rachel Reade Hicks passed away peacefully November 4, 2016 after a very long period of declining health. She was born in Burgaw, NC on May 22, 1928 to the late John Washington Reade and Rachel Powers Reade. She graduated from Atkins High School and received a business degree from Peace College in Raleigh. She worked for several years with Wachovia Bank, and the N.C. Paroles Commission.

After having her four children, she became committed to family life, motherhood and her friends. To all she was known to be a generous listener and wise in her counsel. She had a unique gift of recognizing the positive aspects of the individual or the situation.

She was so compassionate about sharing life’s joys and sorrows, and giving comforting assurance in anyone’s ability to meet any challenge. Rachel’s infectious humor always filled a room with laughter and she was always a gracious southern woman.

Rachel also embraced and supported many community resources. She was a member of Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church for sixty years, where she served in many capacities, she especially enjoyed volunteering in her children’s schools and extracurricular activities, Meals On Wheels, and helping children with special needs. She was a lover of the Arts and Music.

For recreation she loved being outside gardening, ACC basketball and football and summers spent with family and friends at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Her adoring grandchildren shared many of these activities with her, leaving her amused and beaming with pride.

Rachel was completely devout in her faith which was always her source of strength. She was a part of a loving and devoted Bible study for thirty five years and eventually it was named “The Rachel Bible Study”, in her honor. She cherished each member deeply. Rachel Hicks will be remembered by her strong faith, love, kindness, humility and generosity of spirit.

She was predeceased by her brother John W. Reade, Jr and wife Eloise Reade Farrior, sister Adelaide Reade Mayo and husband John B. Mayo and brother in- law Landis Temple.

Surviving family includes four children: Rhonda H. Kornegay (Rob), of Winston-Salem, Linda C. Hicks of Fayetteville, Al Hicks of Raleigh, and Mark Hicks (Debbie) of Wilmington, four grandchildren: Robbie Kornegay, of Raleigh, Rachel Kornegay and Rebecca Kornegay both of Charlotte and David Hicks of Wilmington. She is also survived by her loving sister Dorothy Reade Temple of Cary and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and precious friends.

The family of Rachel Reade Hicks wishes to send special thanks to the kind and ever present support of Rex Long-term Healthcare, where Rachel was the president of the Residence Council for several years. Our family extends its deep gratitude to her many care givers, Gloria Patterson and to loving friends and family that have enriched all of our lives.

A private memorial service will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully request that memorial donations be made to Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church 4292 Six Forks Rd. Raleigh, NC 27609 or the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation at donate.arthritis.org