Karlin "Babe" Hicks

Karlin Frances Meyer “Baby” Hicks was born in Brenham, TX to Hermina Zetig Meyer and Rudolf Karl Meyer on November 27, 1934.  On Saturday, July 6, 2019, she went to be with her Lord and Savior and precious Buddy Hicks in heaven.  Karlin was given the nickname “Baby” by her big brother, Farrell “Buddy” Meyer; it was how her family and friends lovingly referred to her throughout her life.  Baby was born in Brenham, but moved to Elgin in 1941, where she attended Elgin schools and graduated from Elgin High School in 1953.

On May 15, 1955, she and James Edward “Buddy” Hicks were married at St Peters Lutheran Church in Elgin.  Though they initially started their life together in Elgin, they moved to Houston for a brief time and then came back to Elgin, where they began and raised their family together.  In 1958, they welcomed their son, Blair Edward and then six years later, their daughter, Karla Lynn.

Baby was first and foremost a loving wife and mother. She helped Buddy run the business end of his trucking company along with an Exxon station they owned and operated during the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s.  She also worked proofreading and developing photos at the Elgin Courier, a job that she enjoyed very much.

During Blair and Karla’s teenage years, Babe’s home became a haven for their friends, who would come over not so much to hang out with Blair and Karla, but to hang out with Babe.  She welcomed them all with a yummy snack, a home cooked meal, big glass of iced tea or a gallon of Bluebell ice cream.  She listened to their worries, fears, and joys without judgement nor criticism, with caring sympathy and good advice.  Her home was always open with a kitchen always in operation and love overflowing.

In 1988, Baby and Buddy became grandparents, something Baby referred to as “a perfect love,” welcoming grandson, William Howard Rivers, son of Karla and her husband, Ed Rivers, into the family.  It was then Baby had a new name Meme!  Soon followed three beautiful granddaughters, Kate in ‘91, Ellyn in ’92, and Rebecca in 2001. Being a grandmother was her proudest accomplishment. She was devoted to and loved her grandchildren unconditionally and never failed to help them in any way they could possibly need. In March of 2018, it got even better when great-grandson Tillman Edward Rivers came into her world!!

While her family was the love of her life, her church, St Peters Lutheran, was her rock and her foundation. She was more than a devoted member; she was virtually a cornerstone. She served in the choir and then became the choir director, where she served in that capacity for almost 40 years. She was on the music and Worship Committees and the Call Committees when there was need to search for a new pastor.  She served her Lord and church with love and faith to the end and was a true Lamb of God.

Baby was preceded in death by her parents, Hermina and Karl Meyer; her brother, Farrell “Buddy” Meyer; her niece, M’Liss Meyer; and by her devoted husband, James “Buddy” Hicks.

She is survived by her son, Blair Edward Hicks and his wife Kim Taylor Hicks; her daughter, Karla Lynn Hicks Rivers and her husband William “Ed” Rivers; her grandson, William Howard Rivers and his wife Juli Zamora Rivers; three granddaughters, Kate Rivers Pennington and husband Adam Pennington, Ellyn Rivers, Rebecca Rivers; and great-grandson, Tillman Edward Rivers.  She is also survived by her brother and sisters-in-law Kay and Joanna Hicks and Betty Lynn Meyer Hopper; and numerous, nieces, nephews, great-nieces/nephews, and nieces/nephews-in-law.

Babe will also be dearly missed by her friend and caregiver Lori Hodge-Milburn. Lori has been a wonderful companion and caregiver to Babe and was the person who made it possible for her to live out these last few months at home, where she so dearly wanted to be.

Babe’s greatest wish was for memorials to be sent, in her memory, to the St Peters Lutheran Church of Elgin or the American Cancer Society.  The family encourages anyone with a memory, to please mail to the Rivers Family at P.O. Box 1124, Elgin, Texas 78621.

Family and Friends will gather at the Elgin Funeral Home on Monday, July 8th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  A Celebration of Life will be conducted at the Saint Peter's Lutheran Church of Elgin on Tuesday, July 9th at 9:00 AM with the Reverend, Samuel Brannon presiding.  Interment will follow at the Elgin Cemetery.