WAKE FOREST - Maria E. “Ella” Hicks, 85, formerly of Wake Forest, died Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the Autumn Care of Myrtle Grove of Wilmington. Funeral services were held Monday, April 23, at Beulah Christian Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

She was born to the late Jacob Peters and Gertrude Lerschen Peters in the Netherlands. She was married to the late Joseph L. Hicks and was a member of Beulah Christian Baptist Church.

Surviving: children, Anna Marie Kearney (Marvin) of Wilmington, Linda Faye Hurt  (Donald) of Raleigh, Bert Hicks (Alice) of Lake Royale and Eleanor Hicks Bailey (Gary) of Zebulon; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest.

www.brightfunerals.com