Betty Morris Hicks, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, May 29, 2025.
She was born on July 9, 1934 in Mount Gilead to the late William Allen and Beulah Ford Morris.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Jasper Nelson and Woodrow Hicks; and her sisters, Rachel Jackson and Mary Pearson.
Betty was a classy, sassy, sharp-dressed, independent, hard-working lady.
She retired as quality control supervisor at Owens Illinois, where she demanded perfection in the products that were produced there. Betty would not let a shipment leave Owens until she personally and thoroughly inspected it.
Betty was a wonderful and beloved mother, sister and Nannie. The most important part of her life was her family. She cared for and instilled her strong work ethic, values and kindness in her children, grandchildren and great-grandson. And she was extremely proud of their accomplishments.
She was an exceptional cook and loved to prepare meals for her family. Betty loved to work in her yard and when her gardenias bloomed, she prepared bouquets for her friends and family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Peggy Russell (Joe), Angela Knapschaefer (Deny) and Wyatt Nelson; her grandchildren, Dawn M. Layton (Ken), John McDonald, Alex Bowler and Ashton Bowler; her great-grandson, Wil McDonald (Mandi); her great-great-grandsons, Liam and Levi McDonald; her brother, Bill Morris; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at noon at Sweet Haven Church in Rockingham. The family will receive friends at 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Richmond Co. Memorial Park.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregivers, Amy Lawrence, Joyce Pemberton, Kim Vandermast and Dawn Taylor.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sweet Haven Church, 234 Midway Road, Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Hicks family.
