Cecilia Darlene Hicks, 77, of North Vernon, passed away at 10:18 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Autumn Trace in North Vernon.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025 and again 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday.

Born on August 13, 1947, Darlene was the loving daughter of the late Helen Pearman. She was united in marriage to Paul Hicks on June 8, 1991. He survives.

Darlene taught for the Jennings County School Corporation at Graham Creek Elementary for 29 years. She was a faithful member of Graham Presbyterian Church. She had served on the Board of Directors for the Park Theatre and was a part of the Rainbows for Girls organization. Darlene enjoyed fly fishing; making several annual fly-fishing trips to Montana, scrapbooking, making holiday cards for those she loved, playing a good card game with family and friends, and watching all sports both on TV and in person. Over the years she liked traveling to Cincinnati to see the Reds play.

In addition to her husband, Paul Hicks of North Vernon, survivors include cousins, Becky Worrell (Braden), Hank Byram (Michele) and Leslie Lowman (Jerry) all of North Vernon, Shirley Deckard of Indianapolis, and Deanie Byram.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Pearman and cousin, Dirk Byram.

Memorial donations can be made through the funeral home to the Park Theater Civic Center, or the Graham Creek Elementary Scholarship Fund.