Darlene Hicks

Darlene Isbell Hicks, 62, of Hawley passed away Sunday, July 10, 2011. A memorial services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Broadview Baptist Church, 2500 South 27th, Abilene, Texas. Rev. David Cason will officiate. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Darlene was born October 6, 1948 in Abilene, Texas to W.A. and Dovie Jean Isbell. She married Thomas J. Hicks on June 1, 1967 at her parents' home in Hawley. Darlene graduated from Hawley High School in 1967, married and moved to Stephenville, Texas and then to Tuscola, Texas for a short time before they returned to Hawley. She was a life long member of the Hawley First Baptist Church. During her life, Darlene was involved in many different activities such as a women's basketball league at Rose Park during the 70's, team roping, wagon driving, and showing horses. She loved to quilt, ride horses, and spending time with family. Darlene was a very talented artist, both in painting and pencil drawings. She had never rode a horse until after she was married. Soon she learned to team rope with her husband. Later on Darlene and Thomas became interested in wagons, with Darlene in the seat right alongside, driving as well. Together in their construction business she would work side by side with Thomas tying steel, cleaning ditches, and roofing houses when help was needed. She was always happy to just go along where ever Thomas was going just to spend time together. She was a member of the AQHA, Stock Horse of Texas, Texas Draft Horse Association, and ASHA. Darlene was first diagnosed with Colon Cancer in 2000. While fighting cancer, Darlene showed in the Stock Horse of Texas competitions with several different horses named "Casper", "Diego" and then "Roy". She won many awards with her horses- including buckles, bronzes, and a saddle. Darlene was the SHOT Reserve Champion Ltd Non Pro 2008, Champion Ltd Non Pro 2009, Reserve Champion Ltd Non Pro 2010, and ASHA Ltd Non Pro Region 1 Champion 2009 all while undergoing cancer treatments. Darlene shared her experience with cancer with others who asked for guidance and encouragement. There were several sayings that were special to her and were encouragement during her battle. "Never Give Up", and "Courage is being scared to death- but saddling up anyway."- John Wayne. She was preceded in death by her parents W.A. Isbell and Dovie Jeans Burns Isbell, and one granddaughter, Annie Weber. Darlene is survived by her husband, Thomas J. Hicks of Hawley; daughters, Jennifer Hicks Weber and her husband Trevor, and Theresa Hicks Woodard and her husband Joe, all of Hawley; four grandchildren, Colin Penton, Bobby Weber, Harley Weber, and Emily Woodard, all of Hawley; one brother, Kenneth Isbell and his wife Sandy, of Rockport ;two sisters, Jan Knight and her husband Danny of Abilene, and Rhonda Rutledge and her husband Roger, of Hawley; as well as many nieces and nephews. Memorials can be sent to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604; The West Texas Rehab Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605; or The American Cancer Society, 209 S. Danville, Bldg. B, Ste. 107, Abilene, TX 79605.