October 9, 2022, 89, Pikeville –

Heaven rejoiced today as Ruby Lancaster Hicks, 89, arrived at her heavenly home. She was born September 6, 1933, to Jim and Hester Lancaster, where she learned the true meaning of love and family. She carried these teachings with her when she married the love of her life, Rev. Jimmy Hicks, on November 9, 1953. Together they raised their family with love, discipline, and a firm foundation in Christ.

Ruby was a true woman of God. She loved her church home and family at Mt. Carmel Church. She set an example for those around her of what living a life for Christ should be. Everyone loved her cooking, especially her cakes. She worked hard, no matter the job. She shared her faith and love of Christ by writing a devotional with recipes for the Mt. Olive Messenger. The greatest joy of her life, after her children, was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family made her proud and were a constant source of entertainment with the stories she would share.

A memorial service celebrating Ruby’s life will be held on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 7 pm at Mt. Carmel Church in Pikeville, NC. A visitation will follow the service in the fellowship hall. The Reverends Glenn Pate, David Pate & Becky Bradley will officiate. The family will receive friends at other times at the home.

Ruby is survived by her daughters, Vickie Pate, & husband, Rev. Glenn Pate, Janice Sasser & husband, Glenn, and Norma Braswell & husband Scott, all of Goldsboro; son, James Hicks, III of the home; brother, Add Lancaster & wife, Reba of Pikeville; sisters, Agnes Ann Green & husband, Jimmie of Elm City, & Dolly Mozingo of Wilson; sister-in-laws, Doris Lancaster of Pikeville, Edna Lancaster of Wilmington & Joan Kearney & husband, Ronnie of Pikeville; grandchildren, Rev. David Pate & wife, Rev. Tabitha Pate of Townsville, NC, Jennifer Lane & husband, Jonathan of Goldsboro, Christie Worthington & husband, Travis of Snow Hill, Michelle Capps & husband, Michael of Smithfield, Joseph Braswell & wife, Toni Faith of Four Oaks, Wesley Hicks & wife, Jamie of Elizabeth City, and Michael Hicks & wife, Savannah of Elizabeth City; great-grandchildren, Russell Pate, Annabelle Lane, Willow Lane, Makayla Kelley, Natalie Worthington, Leyna Worthington, Hailey Boyette, Jaydan Boyette, Logan Capps, Reagan Capps, Luke Capps, Grayson Braswell, Travon Turner, Makenna Turner, Briar Hicks, and J.C Hicks; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Hester Lancaster, her husband, Rev. James W. Hicks, Jr., her brothers, Jimmy Lancaster, Eugene “Chick” Lancaster, Bobby Lancaster, Kenneth Royal Lancaster, sister, Fannie Elizabeth Lancaster, and her grandson, Robin Kelley,

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mt. Carmel Church or Pine Forest United Methodist Church.