Margie Louise Berry

Faced with the daunting task of writing my mother’s obituary, I pray for the right words. How do you summarize 75 years of living into a few paragraphs - It feels like she’s looking over my shoulder right now, saying, "Do a good job Jeannie, make me proud!"

Ok, Mama, here we go-.

Margie Louise Hicks, 510 E S.E. of Miami, passed away at her home Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 1 p.m., surrounded by her family. Mom lost her brave battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 75. Margie Berry was born near Ketchum, Okla., on a cold Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1933. One of thirteen children born to George and Mary Berry, she was the oldest daughter. Margie grew up and attended school in the Picher/Cardin area.

In 1949, Margie married Claude (Butch) Hicks Jr. and the couple shared 53 busy, happy years together. We three children came along: Jeannie, John, and

Susan. Incredibly, my brother John was also a Christmas baby, arriving on Mom’s 21st birthday. I was four when they brought him home from the hospital, and for the longest time, I thought he was a gift from Santa Claus, just for me!

Throughout the years, Margie Hicks worked at Glen-Berry Mfg., at Duff’s Greenhouse, and in the fabric sections of both TG&Y and Wal-Mart. Artistic and creative with her hands, Mom was an excellent seamstress and quilt maker. Her quilts are precious to us now, and will be treasured always.

Mom had been a member of the Miami Elkettes, the Calico Quilters, and the Tri-State Iris Society. She was also a very proud member of the Cherokee Nation, and recently joined the First United Methodist Church of Fairland.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, James Lee Hicks in 1949, her husband Claude Hicks in 2003; and four brothers: Leroy Berry in 1990, Bob Berry in 1995, and Jerry Berry and Carl Berry, both in 2008.

In 2006, Mom married a wonderful gentleman, Buddy Cauble. In their three short years together, they traveled a lot, fished, bird watched, and made the most of every minute. Thank you God, for this tall Texan who came into our lives.

Margie Hicks Cauble is survived by her husband Burl (Buddy) Cauble, three children: Jeannie and the late Russell Wells, John and Linda Hicks, and Susan and Dale Francisco, all of Miami. Seven sisters: Thelma Bump of Quapaw, Ok, Shirley Ethel Honeycutt of Nederland Tx, Norma Hasseberg of Picher, Ok, Jackie Schneider of Lumberton, Tx, Patricia Williams of Bluejacket, Ok, Judy Walden of Ft. Wayne, Ind, and Debra Hall of Sweetwater, Ok. One Berry brother survives, Don Berry of Gaffney, SC. Mom also leaves behind five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and seven step great-grandchildren. And then there’s many much-loved in-laws and 64 (whew, hope I counted right) nieces and nephews. You know who you are-.

We’ll all miss her cobblers, chicken and dumplings, and prize winning pickles. She was a more than a wife, mom, granny, big sister, and aunt. Mama was an optimist, a bit of a dreamer, and a true free spirit, and I hope some of these traits got passed down to me. She kept things interesting-

A Visitation and the Funeral service was held at the Paul Thomas Funeral Home of Miami: Visitation Thursday July 16, from 6-8 pm, and the Funeral at 1:00 on Friday, July 17.

Thanks Mama, for everything. You rest easy now.

We Love You,

Just Jeannie