Wilma Lee (Gray) Hickox

Wilma Hickox was born in New Home, Lynn County, Texas on January 6, 1930.  She was the third of four children – an older sister, Virginia; an older brother, Wayne; and a younger sister, Nita.  She spent her childhood in the two small towns of Deepwater and Montrose, Missouri and even though she spent the majority of her life in and near Kansas City, she was a farm girl at heart. 

She had two daughters, Cathy Sue and Carol Ann, and raised them in Overland Park, KS.  When her daughters became school age, she started her long association with Shawnee Mission School District as a cafeteria worker – a job that she thoroughly enjoyed.  Later she became an administrative assistant at Broadmoor Junior High School and for many years at the District’s Administrative Office on Antioch Road.  After retirement, Wilma worked tirelessly for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau coordinating donations and the holiday event. 

Wilma and Wayne Hickox were married nearly 40 years and lived in Lenexa, KS for the entirety of their marriage.  In addition to her daughters, Wilma is survived by four grandchildren – Caleb and Caitlin Percy and David and Christopher Ritter.  And three great grandchildren – Garrett and Nathan Percy and Mackayla Nolan.

Wilma was a great and loyal friend, having been predeceased by Bob and Ginny Carlson and Bud and Midge Wyrick.  These families spent many, many hours together – including ‘camping’ breakfasts at Shawnee Mission Park every Memorial and Labor Days.

A life long Methodist, she was Sunday School Superintendent at St. Mark’s Methodist on the Santa Fe Trail for many years.  Pot luck casseroles and old hymns were a mainstay at her house.

Wilma’s extended family were from the Branson/Forsythe area and she loved spending vacations in the Hills of the Ozarks. There were many secret swimmin’ holes and cemeteries that only she knew where were.  And … blackberry cobbler!! Worth the long drive, she would always say.

In her later years she very much enjoyed watching deer at Shawnee Mission Park and birds at the feeder outside her kitchen window.  Longer trips included South Padre Island and Gulf Shores in Alabama. 

Finally, aside from her family, Wilma’s greatest love was music.  She knew a million songs – from Red River Valley to Burglar Man to You Can’t Get to Heaven.    Hymns were her favorite – she would be honored if we think of her when we sing Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.  Amazing Grace – How Sweet the Sound! How Great Thou Art.

Because … A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

Donations in Wilma’s name can be made to:

            Johnson County Christmas Bureau

            PO Box 14786

            Lenexa, KS   66285

            jccb.org/donate

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