NOVEMBER 11, 1939 – JANUARY 25, 2023
On Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Merlene Stoker passed from this life to be with her heavenly father. On Saturday, November 11, 1939 the late James and Mertie Stoker presented her to this world in Kilgore, Texas. Ms. Stoker was the oldest of her siblings:
James, Calvin and Linda, all who preceded her in death. She received her formal education in Kilgore, Texas. Through the guidance of her father, Merlene was introduced to the churches of Christ and was baptized at a young age at the Westview Church of Christ in Kilgore, Texas and later attended Lindale Church of Christ in Lindale, TX. As an adult Merlene received a better understanding of Scripture and the life she was to live and was re-baptized on September 2. 1978 at the Hawn Freeway Church of Christ in Dallas. TX.
She married Edward Hicks and eventually moved to Dallas, TX in 1959. From that union came six children: Alicia Hicks, Pamela Hicks-Laster, Trudy Hicks, Xavier Hicks, Tanyss Hicks and Edwin Hicks (Sonya). She is survived from this union by Tanyss Hicks and Edwin Hicks.
Later she married Willie C. Nickerson Sr., and to this union came two children, Ian Nickerson, Sr. (Sherita) and Cher Nickerson.
And, although she was not her child by birth, she helped raise one of her grandchildren, Sherrita Gardner, as if she was her daughter.
Merlene’s professional career included years working with Texas Instruments in Dallas and in various hospitals caring for patients as a Certified Nurses Aide. During her lifetime she loved volunteering and logged over 24 years of volunteering at local hospitals. Merlene is well known for trying to care for her family and traveling to visit dear friends. Her travels led her to place membership at a number of churches of Christ in places such as:
West Palm Beach, FL, Denver, CO, and several more across Texas. The latest congregations were Minda Street and Hillcrest church of Christ in Abilene, TX and upon moving to Mansfield, she became a member of the Mansfield church of Christ.
She leaves her four (4) children, twenty (20) grandchildren, and a plethora of great-grandchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends to cherish her memory.
