Betty HicksNewkirk, OK

Betty Ann Hicks

January 15, 1947 – March 22, 2026

It is with great sadness that the family of Betty Ann Hicks, announces her passing on March 22, 2026 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Betty was born in Tyler, Texas, on January 15, 1947, to Thomas Bennett DeLay and Wilma Mae Spain, who were co-owners of the Starlite Movie Theater in Tyler, Texas. Orphaned at the age of 14 due to a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of her parents and one sister, Wanda June, Betty lived independently, graduating from high school in Chicago.

In 1971, Betty moved to Braman, Oklahoma, with her three children, Kimberly, Donna, and Bill, to be near her sister Vivian Cole in Braman, and much later was reunited with her brother, Marty, who had been placed in foster care in California. In Braman, Betty met and eventually married local resident Jack Hicks.

Betty was known to be a fearless and strong hard working woman who would tackle any job, large or small. Betty worked for Cessna in Wichita Kansas, troubleshooting aviation electronics while the airplanes were in flight. Around 1976, Betty, Jack, and daughter Vickie Lincicome worked for for the Sunflower Trailer Factory installing RV wiring. Later, she worked as Waitress/Cook at the Rusty Nail in Braman, a Deli Manager at the “Okie”, and she was a long-term employee at Walmart in Ponca City. Through the years, while working full-time, Betty also assisted her husband Jack hauling hay and changing tractor tires.

Betty and Jack also had numerous business ventures in Braman, including a hamburger joint called “Jack’s”, and a dog grooming business. For many years, Betty and Jack co-owned and operated “The Braman Workshop,” with daughter Gail Wind and her husband Bob Goble, where Betty also routinely completed a wide range of auto mechanic work with her husband, and Bob’s brother, Richard Goble. Betty and Jack later opened the stained-glass shop “Touch of Class,” along with partner Tina Cobb. Together they completed many church windows and artworks for clients ranging from Colorado to California. The numerous windows visible at the Braman United Methodist Church are examples of some of their best work.

Betty loved large family gatherings and some of her happiest times included gatherings for big family meals. Betty would spend hours making large quantities of family favorites such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and biscuits. She was a loving mother and grandmother who was always more than willing to open her heart; she never failed to make room in her home for one more person. Family meant absolutely everything to her.

Betty was predeceased by husband Jack; her parents, Thomas and Wilma; her two sisters, Wanda Delay and Vivian Cole; her son Bill Dold; her daughters Kimberly Garwood and Kathy Knowles; her granddaughter Summer Garwood; her great-granddaughter Mercedez Garwood; and great-grandson Truett Garwood.

Betty is survived by her brother Marty Foreman, and 7 children: Donna Al Balas Newkirk, OK, son Jack (Chris) Hicks Jr., Perry, OK, daughter Gail Wind, Ben Lomond, CA, daughter Elaine Wendel, Gilroy, CA, daughter Anna Tisdale, Roseville, CA, and daughter Vickie (Debbie Farnell) Lincicome, Albertville, AL. She also leaves grandchildren Teresa Rodrigues, Chad Calderin, John Shwayat, Billy Al Balas, Winter Driggers, Austin Garwood, Justin Hicks, Melissa Chow, Eric and Damien Wendel, Briann, Jeffery, and Jennifer Tisdale, Jessica Lambert, and Michael Wright, as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, April 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Grace Church in Blackwell, Oklahoma, with Rev. Bill McKissick officiating. Burial to follow in the Braman Cemetery.