Kyra Ann Ellison Hicks

Kyra Ann Ellison Hicks, 77, of 1010 W. Queen St., Edenton, NC, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 in Vidant Chowan Hospital. Mrs. Hicks was born in August 4, 1936 in Beckley, West Virginia and was the daughter of the late Avril and Merial Beaver Ellison. A graduate of Concord College in Athens, WV, she taught elementary students in Raleigh County, WV for two years, and later was substitute teacher on call, and for two years a full time teacher in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Co. School System. In Mt Holly, Greensboro, Concord, and Edenton, she was heavily involved in volunteering and church work. Her mother taught her to sing while in her teens, and she started singing in her church choir at the age of 16 and continued wherever she lived until reaching the age of 76. Strong in her Methodist faith, she had been passionately involved in her church's Women's programs in all the communities she lived and had served as President of these groups on many occasions. She received the 1990 Lay Person of the Year from the Elizabeth City Methodist District as a member of the Edenton United Methodist Church, where she served on many committees, both as a member and as chairman during the past 22 years. A volunteer with the Edenton Visitor's Center, the historic Barker House, and the Edenton Clothes Closet, she was the 1998 recipient of the NC Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Services, and had been a member of the Edenton's Woman's Club for over 20 years. Surviving are her husband of 57 years, William K. "Bill" Hicks; her son, Kent Hicks of Evington, VA; her twin daughters, Kendra Lee Hicks-Pacifico (Michael) of Kent, OH and Kelly Hicks-Doyle (David) and their daughter Iva of Greensboro; and her brother, Dr. Gerald Ellison (Naoma) of Fayetteville. The family wishes to thank all the staff of Vidant Chowan Hospital for their heroic efforts to save her in the last moments of her life. A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Edenton United Methodist Church, 225 Virginia Road, and will be officiated by the Rev. W. Christopher Aydlett. A reception to greet and visit with the family will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. Burial will follow at a later date in Lynchburg, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of Edenton U.M.C., P.O. Box 37, Edenton, NC 27932. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.