Shelly Alice Hicks

Shelly Alice Hicks, 71, of Winter Springs, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 9, 2025, after a courageous journey with cancer. Her faith never wavered; she trusted God fully and beautifully until her final breath.

Shelly was born in January 1954 in Rhode Island. Growing up, Shelly's father was in the military, and the family moved often.

Shelly raised her daughter, Alicia Angel Hicks, as a single mother for many years, lovingly calling her "my precious Angel." At 37, after waiting patiently and faithfully, Shelly met her "Mr. Right," William Alfred Hicks II, through Alicia's husband, William Hicks III. Just four months after their first date, Shelly and William were married in Phoenix, Arizona. She often thanked God for bringing them together. Their first honeymoon was in Pinetop, Arizona, followed by a second in Florida, a trip Shelly joked became "the longest honeymoon on record." Truly, they lived life as if on a perpetual honeymoon, deeply in love and devoted to each other for the rest of her days.

Shelly had a heart for people. The relationships she built, the family she cherished, and the lives she touched were among her greatest accomplishments. She expressed her love in many ways, and each person remembers something different about how she made them feel special.

She will be remembered for the time she gave, the long conversations she enjoyed, her infectious laugh, and the way she always had words to uplift, encourage, and make others feel valued. Her unconditional love and forgiveness will be held close by all who knew her and passed on to others in her honor.

She will live on through the recipes she shared, the traditions she started, such as baking holiday treats with her great grandchildren, and through her creativity. She created countless costumes and outfits for her children and grandchildren, and she passed that gift down to her daughter and granddaughter, leaving a legacy stitched with love across generations. She also created many photo and memory books that will be cherished forever.

Shelly loved dessert, especially ice cream in almost any flavor. She fully lived out her iconic phrase, "Life is short, eat dessert first." Her family has many sweet memories of ordering dessert before dinner with her at restaurants. And if her grandchildren or great-grandchildren wanted dessert, she loved treating them to something special. For all who loved her, dessert now carries a little bit of Shelly. It's her reminder to make room for joy, celebrate every moment, and hold onto the sweetness God gives in everyday life.

Shelly is preceded in death by her father, Arthur Hendrickson Jr., her mother, Alice Clark Hendrickson, and her brother, Allen Hendrickson.

She is survived by her loving husband, William Alfred Hicks II, her daughter, Alicia Angel Hicks, her stepson, William Hicks III, her stepdaughters, Melissa Perreault and Gena Hicks, her sisters, Rhonda Culbert, Tawny Lambert, Cindy Bissonnette, Jaime Kowalczyk, and, Lori Hunt, her brother, Arthur Hendrickson III, as well as her beloved 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and many extended family members.

She loved deeply, created generously, and lived with a faith that never faltered. Those who knew her will continue to feel her presence in every stitch of a handmade garment, every shared dessert, and every moment of grace she poured into the world.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 12:30 PM at Proximity Church, 9290 Lee Vista Blvd, Orlando, FL 32829. All who knew and loved her are invited to join in honoring her memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Proximity Church at https://proximitychurch.churchcenter.com/giving in Shelly's name.