Meet Joyce Hicks
Joyce Hicks came to stay with us at Caring House, and we were honored to welcome her and her family.
Joyce was born in the summer of 1926 in Westville, Oklahoma, to Simeon and Alma Crocker. At just ten years of age, in the midst of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, her parents brought her and her little brother Jack to California in search of a better life.
The family landed in Wilmington, and Joyce graduated from Banning High School in 1944. She met and married the love of her life, Joe Hicks, in the home where they raised their family, sharing their vows right in front of the fireplace. Joyce and Joe were blessed with two sons, Jay and Tom.
Joyce treasured her family. She welcomed and included everyone, including her sons, daughters-in-law Linda and Lori, each of her seven grandchildren, and her eight great-grandchildren! Her family said she had a special, individual relationship with each of her grandchildren, and she loved hosting family events for everyone. Big events were regularly held at “Mom’s house.”
Baseball was a huge part of Joyce’s family. She was known as Grandma Baseball, with Joe being Grandpa Baseball, of course! For their 38 years of marriage, she was a constant ambassador to her husband’s baseball coaching career and the backbone of his professional success.
Being an incredible forward planner, she was also a financial wizard. She worked in banking, her family said she was a real estate genius, and she always shared her finance expertise and resources. She also helped found and build baseball camps along with her son, Tom.
Joyce also had an artistic and crafty side. She could make something beautiful out of very little, turning even the smallest moment into something special. On Valentine’s Day, she would buy a card and a little gift for everyone. For Christmas, her home would transform into a breath-taking winter wonderland, and she could wrap a present like no other!
Joyce also loved sewing – from prom dresses to drapes and curtains – and she was a collector of many things, including dolls, dishes/dishware, clothing and jewelry. She never wore the same outfit twice in one year. She even bought matching items to wear with her daughter-in-law Lori, telling everyone they were sisters. “That was mom!” Lori said.
Joyce also treasured her faith, singing her faith songs every day. Even as she neared the end, she was still able to remember her songs. Her son Tom recorded her singing her favorite – ‘Jesus Loves Me’ – at Caring House.
Her family shared that “Mom was a beautiful woman full of love, a zest for life and a great sense of humor!” It was also clear from her time at Caring House that she was loved dearly by the many who were lucky to be in her life.
As we celebrate the holiday season, we recognize and honor the huge impact Joyce had on her family. We hope their love and admiration for her keeps them warm as they honor Joyce’s memory with laughter and story-telling.
In Memoriam
Joyce passed away on September 16, 2021. Honor her. Remember her.