Ruth Hicks

Waynesville, Ruth Vickery Hicks, age 82, of Brown Avenue and Largo, Florida, died Sunday, February 8, 2009 at her residence in Waynesville. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late William Frank and Millie Marcus Vickery. She was preceded in death by her husband Baile Edward Hicks, who died in 1985, and two sisters, Barbara Nell Vickery Mulkey and Margaret Ann Vickery Christensen. Ruth received her nursing degree at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee, and worked at Haywood County Hospital for 12 years. She later worked in the private practices of Owen Smith Clinic, David Dyer Pediatrics, and Dr. George Brown. She was a member of Proctor Baptist Church, which was closed when Fontana Lake was constructed. She was a past Worthy Matron of the Waynesville Order of the Eastern Star No. 165, Beta Sigma Phi International, and president of the family council at the Brian Center. Ruth enjoyed sewing and needlework, but her passions were dancing and people. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Frances Hicks and her husband, Ken Disselkoen of Alexandria, VA; one brother, William Larry Vickery of Raleigh, NC; two grandchildren; Bailey Hicks Disselkoen and Paul Hicks Disselkoen, and several special nieces and nephews. Funeral services and an Order of Eastern Star ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2009, in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Greg Cope officiating. Private burial will be in Lauada Cemetery in Bryson City. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lauada Cemetery Fund, c/o Christine Proctor, 1166 Franklin Grove Church Road, Bryson City, NC 28713.

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