Lois Hicks, 88, passed away Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. She was born March 30, 1926, in Sacramento, California, the daughter of Ralph and Dorothy Canning. She grew up in the San Francisco area with her sister, Patricia.

Shortly after the end of World War II, Lois met the love of her life, Gene Hicks, who was returning to civilian life after serving in the United States Army Air Corps. Lois and Gene were married in Miami, Florida, and moved to Gene's hometown of Port Arthur, where Gene went to work for Gulf Oil Corporation.

With their new household established, Lois and Gene were blessed with the arrival of a baby girl, Gloria. Throughout the years that followed Lois maintained a home environment of pastoral beauty and harmony for her family and friends, reflecting her artistic talents and her profound love of plants and animals.

Lois had other talents as well. When the Beaumont Humane Society's animal shelter was in danger of closing due to lack of funding, Lois went into action taking charge of a fund-raising campaign to save the shelter. As a result of her initiative, vision and leadership abilities, the campaign was successful. Lois went on to become director of the Humane Society of Southeast Texas. She served the organization over a 30-year period, and for a time co-hosted a weekly television program in Beaumont where she featured pets available for adoption.

To those who knew her well, Lois was a unique and remarkable personality. Strong-willed, decisive and possessed of a biting wit, she was nonetheless always engaging, full of humor and genuinely interested in the lives of her family and friends. She was stoic in the face of adversity and always uplifted by the unconditional love of her pets. She will be missed by all, especially in the animal kingdom.  

Survivors include her nephew, Michael Moriarty; niece, Maureen Moriarty; and family friend and lifelong companion of Gloria Hicks, Roy Bacus, Jr.

Lois is preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Moriarty; brother-in-law, Francis Moriarty; husband, Gene Hicks; and daughter, Gloria Hicks.

A gathering of Mrs. Hicks’ family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 3900 Twin City Highway, Nederland.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.