Barbara DeMar Hicks

GREENSBORO On Tuesday, June 19, 2018, Barbara Ann DeMar Hicks, our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away. She lived a full and wonderful 91 years. Her contagious sense of humor brought smiles and joy to so many that she met and loved. Barbara was born in 1926 in Des Moines, IA, and moved at a young age with her family to Charlotte, North Carolina. Cross-country excursions in the family LaSalle vehicle were common as Barbara's father, on more than one occasion, had her helping behind the wheel driving long before she would qualify for a driver's license. In Charlotte, she and her older sister Audrey enjoyed a strong family life, and Barbara got to enjoy many activities. She won several awards in archery. She also developed a strong affinity for animals. In addition to horseback riding, she enjoyed walking her seven Great Danes (usually not all at the same time). At age 16, she was pictured in the local newspaper with her award-winning Great Danes, Peter and Bismarck. This love of animals continued well into her adult life, where she welcomed into her family a menagerie of pets and critters. From dogs to parakeets, guinea pigs to snakes, ducks to ferrets, turtles to chameleons, her home was seldom quiet. Barbara attended college at Francis Shimer College in Mount Carroll, IL, as well as Queens College in Charlotte, NC. On April 29, 1950, Barbara married Charleston, SC native and World War II Army veteran, Lawrence Bremer Hicks. After short stays in Charleston, SC, and New York City, the couple settled in New Orleans, LA, where two sons wore born. Robert DeMar Hicks arrived in 1955, followed by Jack Bremer Hicks in 1957. The family then moved to Oahu, HI for three years, followed by the next 17 years in Alexandria, VA. One of her husband's assignments while living in Alexandria was serving as fire protection engineer for the White House, which provided the young couple with many opportunities to attend official White House events and functions. All the while, Barbara found time to volunteer her services at local hospitals and churches. Shortly after her husband's death in 1974, Barbara returned to Charlotte, NC, where she remained until her 2002 move to Greensboro. Barbara was an avid and accomplished artist, known for her pencil sketches, still life and portraits. Her homes have always been adorned with her beautiful works, which were admired and cherished by family and friends. She especially enjoyed sketching family members, and creating treasured keepsakes for all of her subjects. Barbara was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, VA, and First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC. She is survived by her sons Robert DeMar Hicks (Barbara Grisinger) and Jack Bremer Hicks (Sharon), and grandchildren Lucas Adam Hicks and Hannah Claire Hicks. She is preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Bremer Hicks, her parents, J. Howard DeMar and Ruth Reno DeMar, her sister Audrey DeMar Koth, and grandchildren Joshua Albert Hicks, Justin Bremer Hicks, Jacob Lawrence Hicks. The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful team and staff at Verra Springs at Abbotswood for their kindness and loving care. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday June 23, at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to the "ARA Fund," mailed to Assisted Living Facility, Abbotswood at Irving Park, 3504 Flint Street, Greensboro, NC 27405, or your local Hospice provider. Online condolences may be made through www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.