Russell E. Hicks Sr.

Russell Everett Hicks Sr., 75, of Max Meadows died Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at his residence. Funeral service will be held Sunday, July 12, at 2 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel with Jerry Keegan MTC officiating. Interment will be in West End Cemetery with American Legion Post 9 conducting graveside military rites. He was born Nov. 21, 1933, in Gilliam, W.Va., son of the late William Albert and Mamie Elizabeth Turman Hicks. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was retired from Hicks Custom Welding which he owned and operated for over 20 years. He attended the Pentecostal Holiness church. At the age of 16, he trained elephants with the Ringling Bros. Circus. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Madeline "Judy" Docey and Estelle Chandler; and six brothers, Paul Hicks, Eugene Hicks, Raymond Hicks, Hasful Hicks, Joseph Hicks and infant Freddie Lee Hicks. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Helen Hicks of the home; two daughters, Sharon Hicks and Melissa Marie Hicks, both of Max Meadows; a son and daughter-in-law, Russell E. II and Darlene Hicks of Max Meadows; a brother, Jimmie Edward Hicks of New Philadelphia, Ohio; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Saturday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.