Ila Dean Hicks

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Ila Dean (Thogmartin) Hicks was born November 16, 1934 in Neosho, Missouri, one of eleven children to Thomas Henry and Effie (Hargrave) Thogmartin. She entered into rest on May 30, 2023 in Joplin, Missouri at the age of 88. 

Ila Dean was a lifelong area resident and graduated from Neosho High School, class of 1952. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking and baking; taking care of other people and was very family oriented. She was a member of the Baptist Church and was a former Sunday School teacher. 

On March 3, 1958 in Miami, Oklahoma, Ila Dean married Elbert Hicks and he preceded her in death on November 16, 1997. 

Ila Dean is survived by two sons, Larry Hicks and wife, Sherri and Brad Hicks and wife, Denise; three grandchildren, who lovingly called her Grandma Neosho & Doss; Kristen Taylor and husband, Ben, Eli Hicks and wife, Lindsey and Logan Hicks; one great grandson, Weston Hicks; two brothers, Melvin Lee and Tommy Lee; two sisters, MaryDean Williams and Carol Dean Branham and numerous other family members. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by five sisters, Norma Dean Owens, Gearldean Walker, Elva Dean Hopkins, Erma Dean Hill and Naydean Kuhns and one brother, Billy Lee Thogmartin. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 1 pm at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Ralph Shead will officiate. Interment will follow in the New Salem Cemetery, where Ila Dean will be laid to rest next to her husband, Elbert. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12 pm until service time. 

Contributions in memory of Ila Dean may be made to New Salem Cemetery, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.