Mary Elizabeth Hicks (“Elsie”) passed away peacefully on July 26, 2023, at her home in Dallas, Texas. Elsie was born on August 13, 1932, to Elizabeth and Kenneth Aikens in Brunswick, Georgia. She graduated with a degree in fine arts from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority. She then moved to Biloxi, Mississippi and worked as an illustrator for the U.S. Air Force. While there, she met the love of her life, Robert E. Hicks, Jr. (“Bob”), a spirited young Air Force pilot. Elsie and Bob married in 1959 and had many wonderful adventures together as a military family, raising 3 children, living in Japan and England, and traveling the world.

Elsie and Bob set down roots in the Dallas area in 1974. They joined the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Richardson, where, for almost 50 years, Elsie was actively involved in many roles, including altar guild, the Epiphany Bell Ringers, and the Epiphany School. In 1989, she earned her Doctorate of Education in counseling from the University of North Texas, and she worked as a counselor until her retirement.

Elsie was a very talented artist, and she especially enjoyed painting watercolors of her family and of the beautiful places she visited on her travels. She was very active to her last day, walking her beloved wire-haired fox terrier Peanut a mile a day, participating in water aerobics and tai-chi, playing golf, and travelling to Banff and Victoria for her 90th birthday. All this, plus her continued painting, bridge, book club, philosophy club, Richardson Women’s Club, volunteering at the Network of Community Ministries, and church activities led to her well-earned nickname: “Energizer Bunny.”

She is survived by her daughter Cathy Williams and her husband Wayne, son Curt and his wife Joann, son John and his wife Nancy, seven grandchildren -- Waverly and Merriweather Williams, Grayson, Claire, Kelsey, Kenny and Robby Hicks -- and countless friends. Elsie was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by all. Rest in Peace beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and true friend.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 21 at 2:00 pm, at the Church of the Epiphany, 421 Custer Road, Richardson. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Network of Community Ministries (thenetwork.org) or the Epiphany School (epiphany-richardson.org).