Carolyn Sharp Hicks died peacefully February 14, 2022, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Carolyn was born July 24, 1938, in Columbia, Tennessee, to James W. and Ruby M. Turner Sharp. Raised in Nashville, she attended West High School and Middle Tennessee State University, graduating with a degree in education. For the next thirteen years she taught mathematics in the Nashville and Huntsville City School systems.
On June 8, 1963, she married James Shelby Hicks in Nashville, Tennessee, and the two made their home in Huntsville. For the next ten years, aside from work, she and Jim spent their time traveling and camping, as well as enjoying their family and church.
Carolyn became a devoted, full-time mother beginning in 1973, raising three daughters and, in time, six grandchildren with a deep and abiding love that continues to serve as a source of joy and strength.
Throughout her life, Carolyn was a talented pianist, seamstress, and baker, using her many skills to bring happiness to her family, friends, and community. She also was a woman of deep faith and generosity, supporting the Weatherly Heights Baptist Church throughout her life, as well as community organizations such as Girl Scouts of America, Huntsville Swim Association, and American Heart Association. Carolyn inspired her family and friends with the perseverance she demonstrated as a breast cancer survivor.
Her passion for education never waned, and in 1996 she received a Masters in Educational Technology from Alabama A&M University, after which she returned to teaching and mentoring part-time, helping numerous students find meaningful lives.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, James Hicks in 2012, as well as her siblings James Sharp (Faye), Ann Cole (Lyman), Hilda Overstreet (James), Neuva Sears (John), Donald Sharp (Amaryllus), David Sharp, and Linda Yates.
She is survived by her three daughters and their partners, Pamela Hicks (Joe Bandy), Karen Hicks Lawrence (Christian), Tracie Hicks Johnson (Dean), as well as grandchildren Timothy Lee, Jasmine Lee, Mia Lawrence, Victoria Lawrence, James Johnson, Ruby Lawrence, and many nieces and nephews.
The family invites anyone who knew Carolyn to join them in remembering and celebrating her life from 3-5pm at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church on Sunday, March 6. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family would prefer that Carolyn be remembered by a donation to one of the following organizations that meant so much to her: The Schools Foundation, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, or Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care.
