Carolyn Louise Brown Hicks

Carolyn Louise Brown Hicks, 83, left this earth as gracefully as she lived upon it, to live eternally with her Lord and Savior, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Novant Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury. She was born on March 19, 1943, during a World War II blackout drill in Lexington, NC to Cecil John Brown, Sr. and Lois Louise Dorsett Brown. Growing up with her younger brothers in the Holly Grove community, she was surrounded by extended family and friends. Her home church of New Friendship United Church of Christ was pivotal in her Christian faith. She had a natural curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a thirst for learning that led her to be a top student in her 1961 Central Davidson High School class, where she was active in clubs and was a majorette. She attended Catawba College, graduating magna cum laude in 1966 with majors in education, French, and English. Carolyn was awarded the Whitener Award, as the top female in her graduating class. During her senior year, she met her beloved husband Mitchell Gregory (Greg) Hicks, whom she married on October 29, 1966. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary later this year. Carolyn began her teaching career at North Davidson High School. She then taught French and English and served as a yearbook advisor at West Rowan High School before she and Greg welcomed their daughters. She then decided to become a housewife and stay-at-home mother. She, along with Greg, nurtured their girls in every way possible. They were taught to love learning, cherish family, value hard work and an attention to detail, and enjoy music of all genres, all while living carefree childhoods full of play and delicious home-cooked meals. Each spring, Carolyn would plant several beautiful flower beds with her girls beside her, helping them plant their own little section of the garden from seed. Most importantly, she was a Godly mother who raised her daughters to have a strong faith, to love God and Jesus, and to use their talents to choose career paths that would serve others. Carolyn was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Salisbury, for over fifty years. She was active in many capacities within the church, serving on the Christian Education Committee, teaching youth and adult Sunday School, serving as a Vacation Bible School teacher, and serving on the Church Council. She served on multiple Call Communities, acted as a Lay Communion Minister to shut-ins from the congregation, and sang in the church choir. She directed several Christmas youth programs and enjoyed attending the Women’s Circle meetings before she resumed her career in education. Once her girls were in elementary school, she eventually returned to the classroom, “going to school” with them at North Rowan Elementary School, where she also was a grade mother and on the PTA. Once her girls were in high school, she returned across the county to the demands and mountains of papers to grade as a French and English teacher once again at West Rowan High School. Carolyn also served there as the National Honor Society advisor and was awarded Teacher of the Year. She rarely had any problems from any of her students, as she commanded the same respect and fairness she showed them. After she retired in December of 1998, Carolyn and Greg started their favorite “job” as caregivers for all four of their grandchildren while their daughters worked. The grandchildren spent their days being loved and nurtured just as their mothers had been, playing, learning, reading stories, and enjoying Grandie’s home cooked meals (especially loving her banana pancakes and bacon). She enjoyed attending their church and school programs, the girls’ dance recitals, all the years of ballgames and other athletic events, and most recently, Caroline’s Piedmont Player performances. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law Jane Brown, and her brother-in-law Jim Jackson. In addition to her husband Greg, she is survived by her daughters Krista Monroe (Mark) and Amy Smith (Terry) all of Salisbury, grandchildren Rob Monroe (Michelle Case) of Harrisburg, Caroline Monroe of Salisbury, Corbin Smith (Leah) of Spencer, and Abby Smith Shive (Bryson) of Salisbury. She leaves behind her cherished brothers John Brown (Mary Ann) and David Brown of Lexington, sister-in-law Dianne Hicks Jackson of Piedmont, SC, brother-in-law Jeff Hicks (Anna) of Oahu, Hawaii, along with nephews Jonathan Brown and Chris Hicks and nieces Heather Brown Robertson, Ashley Brown Barnett, Allison Jackson Alvarez, Brooke Jackson Obbink, Emily Jackson, and Dr. Cindy Hicks. She also leaves many great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, Salisbury, on Sunday, September 6 at 3:30 pm conducted by Pastor Peggy Terhune. A visitation will proceed the service from 1:30 pm to 3:15 pm in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service will follow the funeral service in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, 355 East Ridge Road, Salisbury, NC 28144 or to Novant Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144. The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to Dr. Ronnie Barrier for all the years of outstanding and attentive care he provided Carolyn, along with all of the caring and compassionate providers and staff of Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center, Piedmont Health and Rehab, Digestive Health Associates, Novant Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, and Novant Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House since Carolyn’s hip fracture and recent illness and rapid decline since her cancer diagnosis. Finally, the words from Proverbs 31: 25-26 best summarize the life Carolyn led - “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue”. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Hicks family. Online condolences may be made to www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Carolyn Louise Brown Hicks

March 19, 1943 - August 29, 2026