Joy Belle Hicks, 90 of Lufkin,Texas, went to be with our Loving Lord on October 8, 2023, in Huntsville, Texas with her  children at her side.

Joy was born on December 24, 1932, in Angelina County to Earl and Doffie Thompson, the fifth of eleven children.  Joy enjoyed being a big sister to her younger siblings and was very protective of them. She graduated from Lufkin High School in 1952. She worked several jobs throughout her life, but her most important was being a stay at home mom.

Joy met her husband, James Hicks, in January of 1955 in Houston, Texas while she was visiting her sister Irene. They fell in love and were married on April  9, 1955, and enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage.

Joy was a proud wife and mother who doted on her children. Her family was her pride and joy.  She loved being a homemaker and you would often find her sewing outfits for Carol in her early days. If she was not sewing or cooking you could find her working in their yard.  Later in life she enjoyed sewing matching outfits for her granddaughters as well as painting.

She wholeheartedly loved the Lord and her family unconditionally. She was a kind and dependable mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother.  She loved raising children and always had a house full of grandkids, nieces and nephews.  She was always ready to listen when you had a problem, hold you when your world was crumbling and let you cry.

She loved to laugh.

After James retired he and Joy enjoyed traveling and went on several vacations with their sisters.

Joy is survived by son, James Larry Hicks, and daughter, Carol Hicks Brown and husband Larry.   Grandchildren: Lauri Hicks, Traci Brown Walker and husband John, James Hicks and wife Stacy, Jonathan Hicks, Daniel Brown and wife Kaci.   Great grandchildren: Alex Quinn and wife Megan, Drake Boykin, Madelyn Walker, Drew Hicks, Reily Hicks, Hunter Hicks, Rosemarri Walker, Greysen Walker, Cutter Brown, Silas Hicks, Lillian Hicks, and Jacie Brown. Great Great Grandchildren:  Sophia Quinn, Emma Quinn and Saydee Boykin. Sister: Ommie Brown and Brother, CL Thompson and wife Janice, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by beloved husband, James Hicks; her parents, Earl and Doffie Thompson; and siblings:  Grady "Dunk" Thompson, Larry Thompson, Pete Thompson, Bud Thompson, Irene Erickson Gorham, Evelyn Marsh Lurleene Purdy, and Delinda Harris.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her hospice nurse and niece, Jennifer Stanley, and her team for their love and support. Also her caregivers, Shea Ballard and Sharles Taylor, for the wonderful care and friendship they gave Joy in her home as well as the Nurses, CNA's and staff at Huntsville Health Care Center.

Graveside services will be held at Simpson Cemetery on October 13, 2023  at 11 am.   Visitation will be held at the same location beginning at 10:30 am. Joy's family will be present to welcome loved ones and friends.