Joyce Hicks

Weslaco-

Joyce Elaine Draper Hicks, born on November 21, 1928 in Sutherland, Iowa passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025 at the Aurora house, Weslaco, Texas.

Raised in a Baptist home, Joyce and her family were involved in their church community and as a teenager, she attended Raccoon River, Bible Camp, Scranton, Iowa. This is where she first met her future husband, Donald L. Hicks of Ulmer, Iowa. Their friendship grew into a loving relationship and they were married May 30th, 1947.

While raising their family, Donald and Joyce founded Hicks Well Company in Scranton, Iowa. Joyce served as the company's bookkeeper and was involved in the daily running of the family business. Their son, Gene, and his wife, Ann, own and operate Hicks Well Company today.

Joyce was a gifted homemaker. Known for her homemade bread, that she enjoyed sharing with friends and neighbors, and her artistic talents. As a young woman, she took an art course through “The Famous Artist School”, co-founded by Norman Rockwell. Joyce enjoyed drawing, painting, writing poetry, sewing, crafting, and she loved playing the piano.

In their retirement years, Don and Joyce sought the warmth of South Texas as their winter home. They made Pine to Palm, Weslaco, Texas, their permanent home in 1981. Joyce resided here until her passing.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Letha (Dodge) and Leroy Draper, her husband .. Donald L. Hicks and siblings .. Dorothy Shook, Merlyn Draper, Robert Draper, and Dolores Briggs.

She is survived by her two daughters, Donna Wenger (Denton), Carol Hicks, and a son, Donald Eugene “Gene” Hicks (Ann); grandchildren Bill Wenger, Allison (Hicks) McCarville and Charles “Chuck” Hicks; great grandchildren, Taylor Wenger, Laura McCarville, Gabe McCarville and Casey McCarville, along with numerous nieces and nephews.