Wanda Rue Hicks, longtime resident of Kingwood, TX passed peacefully on April 23, 2025 from metastatic cancer at the age of 79. Wanda was born on August 8,1945 in Galena Park, TX to Bob and Chloe Cox; Bob was a longshoreman who worked at the Houston ship channel and Chloe was a dedicated homemaker and family caregiver. The middle child of five (three girls and two boys), Wanda grew up in Galena Park and graduated from Galena Park High School.

Upon graduation, she worked for Kroger Company for several years where she was responsible for training new cashiers and conducting management training; she was also instrumental in helping to launch the opening of several new Kroger stores in the Houston area. Wanda met the love of her life, Jim Hicks, during this time and after a brief courtship, they married on February 10, 1979. Together, they raised Aaron, their beloved son from Wanda's previous marriage to Michael Watson (deceased). During their 46 years of marriage, Wanda and Jim shared many great adventures, including moving to Saint Croix for Jim to pursue a managerial job with Hess Oil while Wanda worked in accounting for a contractor on the island. They enjoyed many wonderful experiences of island life and hosted many family members and friends for visits.

Upon their return, they purchased Strawberry Appliance, an appliance repair and retail business, in Pasadena, TX and successfully operated the store for 13 years. In large part due to Wanda's business sense and gift for entrepreneurship, they expanded the business from a small start-up, becoming active members in the local Rotary club and Chamber of Commerce. Wanda's excellent skills at salesmanship, marketing, and overall business acumen helped garner several lucrative sales contracts with nearby businesses, in addition to residential sales. Her wit and gift for showmanship were cleverly showcased in a series of local Pasadena commercials she and Jim produced to promote the business. The commercials gained them new customers who became stalwart fans watching the antics of Wanda and Jim on those fun and crazy commercials.

They moved to their home in Kingwood in 1984 and became part of this loving and thriving community surrounded by family and friends. They joined Kingwood Presbyterian Church and found their spiritual home. Wanda worked in the office while Jim sang in the choir and served on various committees for the church. They enjoyed attending weekly Sunday school classes and participating in the many social activities offered by the church.

Wanda was a devoted grandmother who dearly loved her two grandsons, Matthew and Alek; she and Jim took the opportunity to visit them, Aaron and his wife, Gayle, in their North Carolina home, whenever possible. A much beloved wife, mother, grandmother and cherished friend to many, Wanda will live in our hearts forever and will long be remembered for her sharp wit, mischievous and clever nature, and her ability to make us all laugh. We will miss her beautiful smile, her twinkling, intelligent blue eyes and her fearless approach to life. Forever the life of the party, she lived life to the fullest and knew how to enjoy life's bounty. Thank you, Wanda, for spreading so much joy and laughter to all of us. We love you so much!

Wanda is survived by her husband Jim; son Aaron Watson and his wife Gayle; grandsons Matthew and Alek; sister Evelyn and her husband Bill Tapley; brother Larry Cox; brother-in-law Werner Kief; niece Jana Sweeny; and nephews Kirby Trapolino, Phillip Kief, Tyler Kief, Randy Cox, and other nephews. She is pre-deceased by her parents Bob and Chloe Cox, brother Bobby Cox, and sister Jimmie Lynn Kief.

A "celebration of life" ceremony will be held in Wanda's honor at 10:00am Saturday May 10th at First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.