Bennie Ward Hicks, 68, passed away, Thursday, May 1, 2008, at his retirement cabin in the NC Blue Ridge Mountains. He was born in Nash County, June 7, 1939, son the late Linear H. and Doris Rose Hicks of the Elm Grove Community of Nashville. Also preceding him in death was a brother, Vester Cooper Hicks. Bennie retired from Nash County as the Environmental Health Supervisor. He spent many hours coaching and teaching as his sons grew up. He very much enjoyed the outdoors, hunting with the sons and grandchildren growing up, and after retirement his love for animals grew to include his hunting dogs and sharing time with his wife and family. “Coach” Hicks touched the lives of many students, athletes, and hunters of all ages, whether in the study of God’s Word or on the many fields of competition. His love of fellowship shined with pride in the sharing experiences associated with friendly competition, where the winners were those that realized that the fellowship was all that truly mattered on the field of life.

He is survived by his truly devoted wife and best friend, Catherine Collins Hicks; two sons, Bennie Madison Hicks (Tammie) and Kenneth Eugene Hicks (Trisha McGrew); three grandchildren, Jeremy Ward, Tyler Madison and Brittany Nicole Hicks; sister, Bettie Jo and husband Robert L. Collins; daughters, Angie Cowan (Coleman), Kristi Abernethy (Adam Derbyshire) and Terri Stone (Adam); nephews, Mark Hicks (Susie) and Scott Hicks (Leigh); the Collins nieces, Melissa Scott (Steve), Christa Pratt (Tim) and Robin Mangum (Eric).

The family received friends from 4 to 6:30 p.m., Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Johnson Funerals and Cremations-English Road, and other times at the home of Bennie and Tammie Hicks. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 5, 2008, at Elm Grove Baptist Church in Nashville, with Robert L. Collins officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Nashville. Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremations-English Road.

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