Barbara Rose Hicks

Barbara Rose Boswell Hicks, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, July 30th. Mrs. Hicks was born February 10th, 1933, in Wadesboro, NC, to the late Lonnie B. Boswell and the late Alma Harris Boswell. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Harloe Omry Hicks, Jr., known affectionately as "H.O."

 Barbara was a loving mother and homemaker for most of her life. She worked for several years at Stanly County Hospital's Emergency Room Admissions Office. She was good with people and had a gift for being calm and decisive under extreme pressure. 

 Barbara never met a stranger. She had a genuine love and interest in people. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, and after a brief exchange, she would know more about that person than their closest friends. She had a special gift of making those around her feel safe, loved, and seen.

 To know her was to love her. She was a kind and gentle soul who uplifted those around her. She was always positive and upbeat and a pleasure to be around. She put you at ease with her beautiful eyes, honest open smile and warm embrace. Her greatest joy was her family. She dearly loved her sister, her husband, her four children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, extended family and many friends.

 Barbara loved to travel. She was adventurous and would go almost anywhere, anytime, from Hawaii to the Great Pyramids of Egypt. She loved the beach. Her favorite destinations were Palm Beach, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some of her happiest years were spent at their Ocean Lakes beach property.

 Survivors include son, Stephen Hicks of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter, Anne Hicks West of Badin, NC and sons; Don Hicks of Columbus, OH, and Jeff Hicks of Palmerville, NC; daughters-in-law, Jolie Hicks of Scottsdale, AZ, Kim Hicks of Columbus, OH and Amy Hicks of Kannapolis, NC; grandsons, Justin Hicks of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Joshua Hicks of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Daniel Hicks of Charlotte, NC; granddaughters, Stephanie Hicks Mitrovic of Scottsdale, AZ, Lauren Hicks Gulliford of Freeland, MI, and Tricia Hicks of Washington, DC; great-granddaughters, Natalija Mitrovic and Nadia Mitrovic of Scottsdale, AZ, Belle Gulliford of Freeland, MI and great-grandson, Hollis Gulliford of Freeland, MI. 

 The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 3rd, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. in the Lefler Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory, 2001 East Main St., Albemarle, North Carolina.

 Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Badin Baptist Church.