Thelma Marie Hicks, 93, of Richmond, passed away early morning September 17, 2019 at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.  She was born September 26, 1925 in Richmond, Ray County, Missouri to Charles Henry and Emma Beulah (Ritchie) Denning.  She was married on July 28, 1946 to Clarence "Stoney" Hicks in Richmond and was blessed with three children Charles Michael, Margie Ann, Deborah "Deb" Jane.  She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Sarah Weary, brother-in-law, F.G. Weary, son, Charles Michael Hicks, and great-granddaughter, Jana Carolina Pappas.

She is survived by her two daughters, Margie (Norman) Bowman and Deborah "Deb" Ballew of Richmond.  Additional survivors include: seven Grandchildren: Kelli (David) Mergen, Michelle Bustamante (Tom Lane), Scott Bowman, Ashley (John) Krause, Erica (Dustin) Lewis, Season Yerasimides and Sarah (Justin) Meierer; 17 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was a member of the Richmond First Baptist Church and could be seen on many Sundays sitting in the back or near the back by the doors where she could see everyone coming and going.  She enjoyed the fellowship of her congregation and her faith in God was unwavering.

Thelma grew up in Richmond where her father was a Barber.  She graduated Richmond High School in 1943.  Her many jobs included the Farris Theatre, Hi-Way 13 Bowl, Richmond Cable TV, and Straight from Hollywood Video Store.  She also was a volunteer Board Member for Direct Transit and a volunteer at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Ray County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

She was known to many in Richmond and the surrounding community. Through her jobs which interacted with the public she had a way with people, she visited with everyone, everyone seemed to know her, and she would get to know them.

Family was very important to Thelma.  She was the matriarch of a strong family full of love, fun, laughter, and a strong sense of togetherness. She would spend hours cooking and preparing Sunday family dinners, enjoying the many birthday parties, holiday gatherings, her famous Christmas Eve Hicks Family celebration, and countless visits with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren in person or over the telephone. When she was able she would attend as many sporting and arts events. She was her family's biggest cheerleader and supporter. She could be heard cheering from the stands and the auditorium. She was always there for the family even when she couldn't be she wanted to hear every detail of an event and see pictures. She would re-tell the accomplishments of her family and her joy and love radiated throughout the entire room.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Lucky Fin Project at 1320 N. Vermont Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067 or luckyfinproject.org.  Lucky Fin Project was chosen because her great great granddaughter, Blakelee was born with a limb difference.  Lucky Fin Project raises awareness and celebrates children born with a limb difference.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, September 20, 2019, at the First Baptist Church in Richmond.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  Burial will follow in Sunny Slope Cemetery in Richmond.  Please share your memories of Thelma by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .