Barbara Noel Hicks, 89, of Manitou, KY, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Walnut Creek Alzheimer's Specialty Care Center in Evansville, IN.

She was born on July 7, 1934, in Manitou, KY, to the late Ina Pearl Arnold Noel and William Michael Noel. She was a former violinist with the St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville. In her teenage years, she traveled with the Christianairs Quartet as their accompanist. A long-time educator and teacher, Mrs. Hicks held a BA Degree from the University of Kentucky and a MA Degree from Western Kentucky University. She was co-founder of the Middle School Music Program in Hopkins County. She had served as one of the music teacher Supervisors of Music in Montgomery County Schools in Clarksville, TN. She taught twelve years in Hopkins County and was a retiree of the Louisville-Jefferson County School System.

In 1982, Louisville honored her as one of the Master Teachers to be listed in "Who's Who" in American Education. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an International Honorary for women educators. She was also a member of the Kappa Chapter of Phi Beta Music Society. She was a member of the McDowell Music Club, an affiliate of the National Federation of Music Clubs, and the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Hicks was a 75+ year member of the Manitou Baptist Church. She had served as a pianist, organist, and Vacation Bible School teacher there for many years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two husbands, Bill Wood and James Hicks.

Survivors include several cousins and many friends over the years.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2024, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home with Pastor Bobby Todd officiating. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville, KY.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday at the funeral home.

The pallbearers are John Arnold, David Darnall, Ethan Duncan, Joe Duncan, Randy Duncan, and Tony Duncan. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Martin, Lanny Shawler, and Mike Smith.

The family wants to thank the staff at Oakridge Senior Living Center and Walnut Creek Alzheimer's Specialty Care Center.