Martha Eller Hicks

ASHEVILLE - Martha Elizabeth Eller Hicks of the Laurels of Green Tree Ridge went to be with her Lord Monday, August 24, 2009. A native of Salisbury, N.C., she resided in Buncombe County since 1964. Through the years Mrs. Hicks served with her husband in church pastorates in North Carolina, Kentucky and South Carolina in the area of music and education. These churches included First Baptist in Liberty, N.C., Oakdale Baptist in Spencer, N.C., Bruners Chapel in Harrodsburg, KY, First Baptist in Old Fort, N.C., Mon-Aetna Baptist in Union, S.C., Westwood Baptist in Asheville, N.C. and assisted in education at Stallings Memorial Baptist in Salisbury, N.C. From 1972 - 1985, she served as Director of Church Development and Financial Secretary of the Buncombe County Baptist Association. She was active in many areas of the association in both the state and local levels. She was a member of the Board of Directors of WNC Rescue Mission/Martha Home. She was for many years the pianist of the Buncombe Baptist Ministers Conference and for 11 years was Minister of Music and Education of Macedonia Baptist Church, Asheville. She served as consultant for childrens work in the Sunday School department of the Baptist State Convention of N.C. After retirement, she served as church growth multiplier for the convention. A member of the West Asheville Baptist Church, she held many offices and was the director of the Senior Adult Joyful Noise Band. She was a graduate of Boyden High School in Salisbury, N.C., Mars Hill College and Womens Mission Union Training School in Louisville, KY. She also studied music at Catawba College in Salisbury and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Music in Louisville, KY. The daughter of the late Forrest Javie Eller and Mary Dedmond Reeves Eller, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Rev. John Grason Hicks, former Director of Missions for the Buncombe Baptist Association, brothers Billy Eller and Edward Reeves, and a sister who died in infancy. Surviving are her daughter, Mary Hicks Williamson Of Louisville, KY; son, Forrest Michael Hicks and son and daughter-in-law, David Grason and Linda Hicks all of Asheville; grandchildren, Amber Hicks Garringer and John Michael Hicks both of Asheville, Steven Argyle, Amarie, Eleanor and Maya Williamson all of Louisville, KY; great grandsons, Christopher Hicks and Daniel Hicks both of Asheville and Jordan Venegas of Louisville, KY; great granddaughter, Lola Thompson of Louisville, KY and special friends who cared for her, Stella & Gayle Brown of Asheville. Services will be held 5 P.M. Thursday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Gayle Brown, Rev. Bill Adams and Rev. Larry Sprinkle officiating. Don & Phyllis Davis and Ellen Johnson will bring their message in music. The family will receive friends following the services at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held 10 A.M. Friday at Green Hills Cemetery.