Sara Louise Hicks

Sara Louise Hicks passed on October 30, 2024, at the age of 93 at her home. 

For over 55 years, she lived in Devine, Texas with her husband, Howard R. Hicks. Sara was a long-time Certified Public Accountant. Encouraged by her husband, she opened her own office in Devine in the mid-1960s at a time when female business owners were uncommon. Sara's office ladies were lifelong friends, including Tereasa Baker, Edanna Park, Katherine Briscoe, Martha Zabel, Sandy Joplin, Wanda Gardner, and other semi-closeted rabble rousers. She also enjoyed working with sharp business minds like Frank Coyne, Joe Briscoe, Frank and Bill Bain, Doug Semlinger, and Kim Aaron. During the mid-1960s, Sara and Howard joined the 1st Baptist Church, where she served as treasurer for decades. Sara was a founding director of the State Bank of Texas, now the Devine branch of American Momentum Bank. Always a lady, she had high ethics and meticulous accounting that she either cultivated in or mandated of her colleagues and clients. 

Sara Lynn was born in 1931 to Marcella Lynn (Brown) and Carlton Trimble. Although they divorced, each married a kind spouse, Tom Brown and Minerva Trimble, and provided Sara with half siblings: Barbara and Mike Brown, and Robert and Richard Trimble. 

Sara met Howard in 1956 when he visited her church in Odessa (possibly wife scouting). Although Sara worried she might be an old maid at 24, Howard proposed within the month. After marriage, Howard encouraged Sara to complete her college degree and later built and expanded-expanded--and expanded her CPA office. They had 3 daughters--Linda, Martha, and Beth. During tax season, Olivia Munoz (Fraga) helped with childcare and became a beloved family member, as did her future husband, Ray Fraga. For her children, Sara encouraged education, making your own money, and honesty. She had a gentle sense of humor and was loving, wise, and capable of listening through endless cups of tea. She always had a novel at hand and a well-used library card. She was a true feminist and a champion of self-reliance even as she modeled a partnership marriage. In 2004, Sara and Howard lost their youngest daughter, Beth, to a criminal act by a still-unknown perpetrator. We take solace from believing Sara, Howard, and Beth are together. 

In later years, Howard and Sara toured the United States in their motor home and also took trips to Germany, visiting their good friend, Klaus Hipp, and Australia, where they rode the train across the continent. Sara had a blessed life that she also worked hard to achieve. She was a lovely person and will be greatly missed. 

Sara is survived by her daughters Linda Hicks Green and Martha O'Reilly; her son-in-law Cabot O'Reilly; her grandchildren Sydney Green, Hannah O'Reilly, and Shea O'Reilly, her brother, Richard Trimble, her sister-in-law, Paula Trimble, her brother-in-law, Norman Head, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held in her honor at First Baptist Church of Devine, Texas, on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 12:00p.m. with a reception to follow. 

If you would like to express your condolences, or share a memory, you may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com