Walter Oneal Hicks

Walter “Oneal” Hicks, 81, a resident of Paragould, formerly of Wynne, went to be with his Heavenly Father, Tuesday, March 7, 2023, with his family by his side.  He was born, January 24, 1942 in Lake City, the son of Charlie Lee and Betty Eugenia Sartin Hicks. He married Miss Dianne Cavaness on September 8,1962.

Oneal worked as a farmhand for many years. He and Dianne were therapeutic foster parents for 17 years. From an early age, he was a gifted singer and guitarist. Oneal was soft-spoken, but when he did speak, people listened. God, family, music, and friends were the most important parts of Oneal’s life. His children learned a love of music and valuable work ethics through his example. His legacy lives on through his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many foster children who shared their home. Oneal and family were among the first members of Calvary Fellowship Church.  He proudly helped start “Pickin’ At The Park.” He was a member of the southern gospel group, “The Revival Tones,” and a part of the “Hickory Hill Bluegrass Gospel” group. His most enjoyable moments were spent with family and friends and sharing his love of God and music.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister: Sharon Kay Hicks.

Survivors include his wife of sixty years: Dianne Hicks of the home, two sons: Terry Hicks and wife Lesia of Wynne, Glenn Hicks and wife Judith of Marianna, three daughters: Amanda Baldwin and husband John of Paragould, Patricia Kennedy and husband Chuck of Highland, Tonya Hill and husband Nathan of Paragould, two brothers: Wayne Hicks and wife Rita of Vanndale, Donnie Hicks and wife Carmaletta of Wynne, two sisters:  Bea Cavaness of Vanndale, Iva Dean Adams of Brookland, sixteen grandchildren: Dana (Andy) Tusing of Dell, Douglas (Jordan) Hicks of Pumpkin Bend: Whitney Hicks of Marianna, Joshua (Sarah) Hicks of Brookland, Grant Suthrlen of El Dorado, Jessica (Matt) Fouts of Paragould, Connor (Dominoque) Baldwin of Brookland, Cody (Cassidy) Thomas of Wynne, Kristin (Steven) Hallmark of Wynne, Jacob (Bethany) Thomas of Cherokee Village, Zachary Hill of Fayetteville, Cora (Justin) Montgomery of Paragould, Jerame McDaniel of Wynne, Kelsea (Alex) Shelton of Wynne, Chad Kennedy of Walnut Ridge, Nikki Melton of Wynne, thirty great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held, Saturday, March 11th at Calvary Fellowship Ministries from noon until service time at 2:00 p.m., burial will be private at Ellis Chapel Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Calvary Fellowship Ministries or Legacy Hospice of Walnut Ridge.

Cross County Funeral Service & Crematory has the honor of serving the Hicks Family.

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