Ila Mae Hicks finished her course April 18 ^th 2023. She was born in Buena Vista, Arkansas on February 5, 1935, to Clearance Elliot and Eileen Gulley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters; Virginia Lee, Mamie, Eula Mae, her sons, Benjamin Lee, and Lee Andrew.

Ila Mae moved to Sacramento, California with her aunt Alice, and uncle James Taylor in 1954. While living with her aunt Alice in Sacramento she met her husband Leartis Hicks which was the man of her life for 69 years.

She met a Bible Student by the name of Sister Domingo, who introduced her to the truth and various Bible Student doctrines outlined in the bible. Sister Domingo invited Ila Mae to attend a study class with her in Sacramento, and after attending the class she came home and said, "I have found what I have been looking for."

Ila Mae joined the Sacramento Bible Students Class in 1957 and found great joy and peace in her new-found truth. She would teach her family the truth and all that had an ear to hear. Ila Mae and her family moved to Lompoc, California in 1966, due to her husband being transferred to a new job; she met and became a member of the San Luis Obispo class until her passing.

Ila Mae enjoyed the truth so much she spent numerous hours, witnessing, giving out tracks, (booklets) attending Bible Students Conventions, and traveling to Africa many times teaching the truth with who she made contact.

She was filled with love for her family and embraced all she met. Ila Mae loved the Lord, the Brethren, and all peoples-but her joy was telling others about the great hope of God and his Divine Plan for Mankind.

In addition to being a devoted and loving wife, she was Care-giver and Retail Salesperson, which made available numerous opportunities to witness about what God has done for her and the hopes and promises for all mankind in the future kingdom blessings.

Ila Mae leaves to cherish her loving memory, her loving husband, Leartis, son Bernard, daughter Mary Francis, four grandchildren-Dennis, Lee Charles, Nicole, and Beverlyn. seven great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and her brother Donald Ray, and a host of other relatives and friends.