Mary Hicks

Mary Ellen Hartzog Hicks passed away peacefully on December 13, 2017. She was born on January 26, 1935 in Winston-Salem, NC to Donald C. Hartzog and Adelaide Hester Hartzog. Her parents and her brothers, Donald C. Hartzog Jr. and Arthur E. Hartzog preceded her in death. She was educated in the Winston-Salem public school system and graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1953. Mary Ellen loved creating art since the time her mother would sit her on the floor with crayons and paper. As a child, she had a heart condition which limited her activities so she spent much of her time painting. At the age of 14 she successfully underwent one of the first heart surgeries ever performed at Baptist Hospital. While in high school, Mary Ellen's painting of the Home Moravian Church won first prize in the school's art competition. She studied art at St. Leo's art school and later worked at Western Electric as a technical illustrator. When Mary Ellen stayed at home with her young children she worked as a freelance artist designing greeting cards. Her work has been sold in numerous shops across the Triad area. She considered it an honor to display her works at various Winston-Salem church bazaars, galleries and stores. For many years, she also co-owned The Gingham Dollhouse, a specialty gift shop in Winston-Salem. Much of Mary Ellen's work focused on Old Salem and Moravian traditions, as well as her love of horses. She painted several murals in Reynolda Church, EPC depicting scenes from the Old Testament and the life of Jesus. Mary Ellen was a past member of The Winston-Salem Art Guild and Associated Artists of Winston-Salem as well as a board member of the Cricket's Nest. Mary Ellen was an active member of Reynolda Church, EPC and so loved her church family. Her love for her family and friends was only surpassed by the love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. One of the highlights of her life was marrying her high school sweetheart, the love of her life, Ralph Eugene Hicks, Sr. They enjoyed 56 wonderful years together and had four children. She is preceded in death by Ralph. She is survived by her four children: Susie McCollum and her husband Mike of Winston-Salem. Susie's son, Brad and his daughter, Addilyn; Mike's son and daughter, Payton and Porter. Ralph Eugene Hicks, Jr. and his wife Sheryl of Marietta, GA. and their daughter Susannah and Ralph Jr's daughter, Rachelle. Julia Rainey and her husband Richard of Charlotte, NC and their children Katherine and William. Angie Julich and her husband Marvin of Friendswood, TX and their children Lauren, Caroline and Trevor. Pastor Alan Wright will lead a celebration of Mary Ellen's life on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 12:00PM at Reynolda Church, EPC, 2200 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Family will receive friends after the service. Memorials may be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Association 912 Killian Hill Road, SW Lilbum, GA 30047 or www.LBDA.org.

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