Elizabeth (Libby) Ann Hicks

Elizabeth (Libby) Ann Garland Hicks, 72, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2022, after a brief valiant fight with Multiple Myeloma. She was a direct descendent of John Oliver, first white settler in Cades Cove, TN. Born and raised in Blount County, she attended Union Elementary School and graduated from Everett High School in 1968. She was a member of the basketball team and was selected to All Blount County, All District, Regional and the 1968 All State Tennessee Girls’ Basketball Team. She married Clarence Hicks, Sweetwater native, on September 10, 1971, and were married 48 years until his death in December 2019. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in December 1977 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting and minor in General Business. She began her career working in an accounting service for concessionaires during the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville. Later she was Assistant Finance Director at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Research Center Business Office and was named Director in 1983 through 1987. In 1987, she and Clarence moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia where he served as a pastor in Decatur and Onley, Georgia. In 1992, they returned to Blount County, where she became Fiscal Officer for Blount County community Action Agency and returned to Sweetwater in 2000. In 2006, she became a Fiscal Officer for Mid-East community Action Agency in Kingston, Tennessee. She retired on August 31, 2022, after her tenure of 11 years as Director of Finance for Monroe County Government in Madisonville, Tennessee. She was a Charter Member of the Sweetwater Primitive Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Audine Garland, brother John Kenneth “Ken” Garland, father-in-law Herbert Alfred “Bud” Hicks, mother-in-law Margaret Kathleen Hicks. She is survived by beloved son, Brandon M. Hicks and Justina White, her grandson who was the light of her life, Mathias Ezekial Hicks. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Sharon Douglas Garland, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Herbert Alfred “Junior” & Wanda Hicks, Jimmie & Connie Hicks, Gary & Debbie Hicks, Nancy & Kenny Davis, Judy Matoy. She is survived by a large group of nieces and nephews, special friends Marty and Amanda Cook. She will be remembered by her colleagues and compeers, who respected her knowledge, work ethic and fierce determination to do what was ethical, accurate and just. The family will receive friends at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, from 5p.m. until 7p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 7p.m. in Kyker’s Chapel with Rev. Randy White officiating. A graveside service and interment will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 11a.m. in Grandview Cemetery, Maryville, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Judd’s or Children’s Hospital.

Elizabeth (Libby) Ann Hicks

March 9, 1950 - November 13, 2022