Edith C. Hicks, the daughter of the late Joe Cowin and Rosie Boss Cowin, was born in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on August 9, 1930 and passed away at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo. on Dec. 1, 2006 at the age of 76 years, three months and 26 days.

Mrs. Hicks was a homemaker and had lived in Essex, Mo. all her life. She was of the General Baptist faith.

On Feb. 8, 1947, she was married to Joseph E. Hicks at Gray Ridge, Mo.. He preceded her in death on June 24, 1996.

Surviving are six sons: Harold Hicks of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Eddie Hicks of Dexter, Mo., Freddie Hicks of Fruitland, Mo., Mike Hicks of Fairmont, Minn., Mark Hicks of Poplar Bluff, Mo. and Gary Hicks of Marble Hill, Mo., two daughters: Phyllis Lemons of Dexter, Mo. and Freda Cox of Dexter, Mo., 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, two sisters: Ethel Gregory of Morehouse, Mo. and Martha Holly of Lansing, Mich. Other relatives and many friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one daughter, three brothers and one sister.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8p.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2006, at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Mo.

Funeral services will be held on Monday Dec. 4, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Mo. with Rev. Kevin Eskew of Bloomfield, Mo. officiating.

Interment will be in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery near Dexter, Mo. with Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Mo. in charge of arrangements.

Online register book is available at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com.