Yvonne "Nicki" Brown Hicks

OAK RIDGE – Yvonne Nicole “Nicki” Brown Hicks, 72, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Moses Cone Health Center, surrounded by family. Nicki was born on May 30, 1952, in Guilford County to John “Buster” Brown Jr. and Mazelle Hughes Brown.

Nicki had a strong love for her family and made sure everyone knew they were loved and cared for. She was the biggest fan of all her grandchildren’s ballgames and activities.

Nicki shared her love for children, nurturing them and serving as a teacher’s assistant for over 36 years at Oak Ridge Elementary School. She even taught several students her magical snow dance.

She loved being outdoors, mowing, growing flowers, taking care of the chickens, and riding the golf cart. Her indoor favorites were watching Fox News, Family Feud with Steve Harvey and supporting Donald Trump. Nicki also enjoyed Taco Tuesdays and “Junkin” with her friends and family.

In addition to her parents, Nicki was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Hicks.

Surviving are two daughters, Robin Holland (Steven) and Kelly McDonald (Glenn); three grandchildren, Stevie Holland, Grayson and Travis McDonald (Kathryn); two great grandchildren, Cooper and Reese; and her sisters in crime, Patty, Barbara and Michelle.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel with Pastor Myles Pitts officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Methodist Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. at 26345 Network Place Chicago, IL 60673-1263.