Wanda Jeanne Hicks

Oh, Wanda! We are going to miss you, but we were so fortunate to have loved you. Born on July 17, 1934, in Asheville NC, Wanda was the daughter of the late Vernon Lihew McCurry and Effie Lee Chrisawn McCurry. She passed away on December 24, 2019, at Universal Healthcare in Ramseur. Wanda touched everyone she met with her sincere spiritual faith and a deep love for music, which she expressed on the piano and later, the organ. Her musical interests ranged from classical to sacred to the popular. Her trusty piano might be emitting anything from the solemnity of Bach to an Art Tatum or Duke Ellington jazz composition. Desiring to help others, she graduated in the 1950's from Winston-Salem's Baptist Hospital Nursing School with an RN degree, after achieving an Associates degree from Mars Hill College. Even as a young woman, Wanda held positions of responsibility at the VA Hospital in Oteen, NC. Her caring nature would later guide her into geriatric nursing and she cared for patients and residents at Clapp's Nursing Home and Brian Center in Asheboro. Shortly before graduating from nursing school, a friend begged Wanda to help her out by going on a double date with a young electrical engineer from the Deep South who Wanda pronounced, "---boring, but sexy---" A year later she and the electrical engineer, Eugene Hicks, married and began a happy life which included four children: Susan Hicks Wong (Gerald), Pete Hicks (Kathy), John Hicks, and William Hicks, and two grandchildren who she adored, Laini Hicks and Ian Hicks. They were married for 53 years until our dear Daddy and Grandpa, Eugene Hicks, died in 2011. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Vernon McCurry Jr. Some of Wanda's very favorite things were her church and sacred music and she played piano and organ at Kinnett Memorial Baptist Church in Burlington, Greystone Baptist Church in Asheboro, and St. John's Lutheran Church in Asheboro. Eager to share the joy of music she taught piano lessons out of her home for many years. Because of traumatic experiences with piano recitals as a shy child, Wanda had fun and informal recitals for only the students to attend (with many refreshments.) We will miss her delightful sense of humor and her endless kindness. Shine forever, Wanda. Memorial service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2019, at St. John's Lutheran Church, with Rev. Doug Hefner officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 505 S. Park Street, Asheboro, NC, 27203.