Earlene (McGuire) Hicks, the daughter of Lester and Eva (Jones) McGuire, was born on July 13, 1940, in Westboro, Missouri, at Grandma and Grandpa Smith’s house. Earlene attended Tarkio High School in Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1958.

On September 14, 1958, Earlene was united in marriage to Larry Hicks at the First Baptist Church in Tarkio. They became the parents of three children, Larry Dean, Pamela Lynn, and Susan Renee. Earlene worked for the Tarkio Avalanche selling ads for several years. When she retired, she became a full-time homemaker. She enjoyed spending time on the farm and being a homemaker. Larry, Earlene and Pam moved to town in 2003. After moving to town, Larry and Earlene started traveling. They enjoyed going camping everywhere, but especially in Branson, Missouri, and had wintered in Texas since 2008. Along their travels, they made many friends who became family.

Earlene was a member of Xi Eta Nu. She was an active member in the Tarkio United Methodist Church, serving on many committees. Larry and Earlene were Grand Marshals of the Atchison County Fair Parade. They were also named the first Tarkio Farm Family of the Year and received the FFA Blue and Gold Award, along with being named FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer. They were also named to the University of Missouri Extension Leaders’ Honor Roll.

Earlene loved spending time watching her grandkids and, more recently, her great-grandkids and their love for agriculture. She enjoyed watching all of them show livestock. She rarely missed a show. Earlene loved to spoil her kids, grandkids and, most importantly, her great-grandkids. She always enjoyed everyone traveling to Texas to visit her. When she didn’t have family there, the friends that were in the park were her family. Earlene was fondly known as Mom #2 to the Logan family and she and Donna were best friends for over 80 years.

Earlene passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri, surrounded by her family and friends.

Besides her parents, Earlene was preceded in death by her spouse, Larry; her sisters, Wilda (Donnie) Schwenn and Debbie Closser; brothers, CE McGuire and Larry McGuire; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Norma Hicks; and brother-in-law, Wendell Rolf. Survivors include her children, Larry Dean (Diane) Hicks of Tarkio, Pamela Lynn Hicks of Tarkio, and Susan Renee (Tim) Pointer of Marshall, Missouri; grandchildren, Leasa (Tyson) Collins, Lindsey (Matt) Dehn, Jade Jenkins, and Tyler (Breann) Jenkins; great-grandchildren, Tylea Shea, Tregn Shane, Haven Grace and Briggs Lane; sibling, Gaynel Loveland of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Shirley McGuire and Joyce Rolf; brother-in-law, Lyal (Shirley) Hicks; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and friends all over the country.

A funeral service was held Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Good News Church, Tarkio. Interment was at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Memorials may be directed to Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Arrangements were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.