Ann Elizabeth Hicks

Ann Elizabeth Hicks (née Maupin) passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday morning, October 7, 2022. She was found where she had gone to sleep holding the obituary of her late husband, Dr. Billy G. Hicks (Bill) who passed away in July of 2021. The two of them were inseparable in their 71 years of marriage.
Ann was the epitome of a proper Southern woman. Speech, manners, table etiquette, and being well dressed were a big deal in the Hicks family due to her influence. She was straightforward and held everyone to a high standard. A lifelong Democrat, she "never punched a red ballot" in her 89 years and was proud of it. She was a salt-of-the-earth type of woman.
Ann grew up on the farm and married Billy when she was 17 and he was 18. She started off her career working in billing and accounting for the Goodyear plant in Obion County, continuing to support Bill through his time in the Army and raising a child along the way. Bill and Ann moved to Knoxville for Bill's graduate studies in 1955 where Ann was able to get an accounting job with the State of Tennessee, worked her way up, and stayed on there until her retirement.
Bill and Ann went hand in hand with everything. The two of them never forgot where they came from and how difficult it is to escape hardships. Ann had a 'talk is cheap' type of personality and valuable actions over words. In that spirit, she and Bill created a scholarship within the Agricultural College for those that would have otherwise not been able to afford higher education. Ann was known around the Knoxville community for her help with local charities, including the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) and Hellen Ross McNabb Center. Additionally, Ann had many friends in the area, but particularly was fond of her time playing with Bridge with the Knoxville Bridge Club at the Deane Hill Center. Ann was also avid about physical fitness and would wake up every day at 4:00am, have a cup of coffee, and then head off to the gym for her aerobics classes.
Ann always tried to help those in need and had a keen awareness of disparities that were present in many communities. She spent her life trying to help those in need particularly, women, minorities, and those suffering from mental illness. She was a fan of being fit and in shape, keeping witty conversation, being pragmatic, and good Southern cooking.
Ann is survived by son Terry G. Hicks and Grandsons, Daniel Hicks and Dustin Hicks. A private service will be held at her request. Memorial contributions may be made to the Billy and Ann Hicks Endowment Fund, C/O Executive Directors of the 4 – H Foundation, 205 Morgan Hall, 2621 Morgan Circle Drive, Suite 205, Knoxville, TN 37996 or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosefuneraltn.com