Marian HICKS

1948 - 2015

(Continued from previous column) That unwavering commitment to whatever she undertook was captured by an event that occurred some thirty-five years later as Marian ended her career. It was the tradition at Freeman's Mill that a retiring principal would walk throughout the school at the end of that last day of class before the summer break and teachers, staff, PTA members, and students would hold up signs with farewell messages and accolades. There were many signs and many well wishes that lined those halls that day, but one sign was particularly powerful. It was being held by fourth grade teacher Mark Collins. It simply read "Faithful". No word is more fitting to describe her forty-two years as an educator than that one. Marian was the consummate professional with an unrelenting focus on being an effective administrator and curriculum leader. At the same time she was an unapologetic people person who had a genuine affection for colleagues, faculties and staffs, parents and students. Most importantly, she made a difference for the children and communities she served. Marian was a devout Christian throughout her life and was a member of Saint Barnabas Anglican Church in Dunwoody. She is survived by her husband of forty-two years, her son Charles Wilton Hicks, III, and his wife Jennifer, two adored grandsons, Charles Wilton Hicks, IV, and Nathan Howard Hicks, her mother, a brother Charles A. Roberts and his wife Mona, sisters Cathy Roberts Alred and her husband Thomas, Linda Roberts Alred and her husband Michael, and Judith Hicks Stephenson and her husband Larry, and several nieces and nephews. The family expresses its deepest appreciation to the physicians and staffs of the Mayo Clinic, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, and the Winship Cancer Institute and Emory Johns Creek Hospital, for their efforts on behalf of our beloved wife and mother. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at H. M. Patterson & Son - Spring Hill from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Saint Barnabas Anglican Church, 4795 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338. The Right Rev. Chandler Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Saint Barnabas Anglican Church, 4795 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338 or another charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.