Crystal Wicks

(From Parker Mortuary)

Rev. Crystal Lee Wicks, age 90, Joplin, passed to life eternal with the Lord on Monday, October 25, 2021 at St. Luke’s Nursing Center.

Crystal was born March 7, 1931 in Powell, Missouri, daughter of the late John Straley Myers and Grace Naomi (Woodward) Myers. 

 She met and married James “Jim” Wicks on January 4, 1947, and they had two children, Linda Kay and James E. Wicks, Jr. Chrystal, Jim, and their children were charter members of St. James United Methodist Church in Joplin.

Crystal entered the ministry with the United Methodist Church, Missouri West Conference and was licensed in 1980. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State College (now University), and she graduated from St. Paul’s School of Ministry in Kansas City, Missouri. She held pastorates in Alba, Oronogo, Wheaton, Fairview, Muncie Chapel, Carl Junction, Asbury, Pierce City, Dry Valley, Miller, Patten Chapel, and Villa Bethel before her retirement in 2000. She was most recently associated with Bethel United Methodist Church in Carthage.

Prior to her church pastorates, she and Jim were in the Lay Witness Missions Program, were involved with many youth work camps, and Chrystal was a counselor at Camp Galilee. She was on the Conference Board of Discipleship and Evangelism, and she chaired the Making Disciples Event. She served on the Southwest District Evangelism, Health and Welfare, and District Superintendency Committees.

In the secular world, Chrystal and Jim were co-owners of an antique store, “The Old Mercantile” in Pierce City. She served as President of the Pierce City Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society of Downtown Pierce City, and the Ministerial Alliance for several years. She was a 50 plus year member of the Joplin Temple Chapter O.E.S. #95.

In addition to her parents, Chrystal was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, James Wicks who passed away April 17, 2006; son-in-law, Tom Butler; grandchildren, Kevin E. Wicks, Amy Lynn Neely, Scott Allen Neely, Courtney Neely, and Wayne Neely; great-grandchild, Andrea Beth Neely; brothers, Floyd Myers, Eugene Myers, and Ray Myers and wife Lillian; sisters, Geneva Wagoner and her husband Kenneth, Lorene Nicely and her husband Dick, Pauline Pilant and husband Richard;

Survivors include her son, James “Jim” E. Wicks and wife Carol of Joplin; daughter, Linda Butler of Pittsburg, Kansas; grandchildren, Brad Neely and wife Carla, Renee Webb and husband Brian, and Toni Lynn Wicks; 8 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Monday, November 1, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church with Rev. Karen Sue Hensley and Rev. Chuck Kralik officiating. Interment will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions requested to Bethel United Methodist Church care of Parker Mortuary.