Earnest Jewel Hicks

Earnest Jewel Hicks, 88, of Jonesboro, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. Born on October 3, 1935, in Washburn, Arkansas, to the late Gus and Dolly Hicks, Earnest lived a life marked by hard work, faith, and simple joys.

Earnest was a dedicated member of Central Baptist Church, where he found solace and community. He was a man of quiet pleasures, enjoying word find puzzles, attending church services, listening to gospel music, and staying informed with his favorite TV channel, FOX News.

He started working in cable television in Fort Smith, Arkansas in the 1950s. Earnest worked in cable TV in Laredo, Texas and then Jonesboro, Arkansas where he was transferred to rebuild the cable infrastructure after the 1972 tornado. He was General Manager for East Arkansas Cablevision, a company that later became United Artist and retired after 30 years. Then he relocated to Conway, Arkansas for several years where he continued to work in cable television for the Conway Corporation. He retired from his life-long career in 1999 and returned to Jonesboro.  His strong work ethic and commitment to his job left a lasting impact on his colleagues and the community he served.

Earnest was a faithful servant of the Lord all of his life. Before each move he attempted to have a church home chosen for his family on arrival, and attendance was a family priority.  He served on various committees and boards during his decades of membership at Central Baptist Church, and he loved that body of believers and his savior dearly.

In addition to his parents, Earnest is preceded in death by his loving wife, Lila Hicks; daughter, Leah Plum; and siblings, Louise Fouts, Lucille White, Thomas Hicks, Ray Hicks, Robert Hicks, Margie Sharpe, and Lee Hicks.

Earnest is survived by his daughters, Leslie Williams (Nick) of Jonesboro and Kathy White (Scott) of Rudy, Arkansas ; son, Danny Hicks (Susan) of Van Alstyne, Texas; son-in-law, Kenneth Plum of Hackett, Arkansas; siblings, Jerry Hicks (Gail) of Fort Smith, Dewayne Hicks (Judy) of Greenwood, Arkansas, Roy Hicks (Loretta) of Greenwood, Arkansas, Betty Kimrey of Fort Smith, and Johnny Hicks (Linda) of Winston, Oregon; special friend, Rose Shaffer; grandchildren, Jake Henry Williams, Isabella Williams, Victoria Williams, Stacy Waters (Brian), Samuel Plum (Marcie Norried), Jessica Clark (Joshua), Anthony Plum, Casandra Evans (Nathan), Matthew Seger (Susan), Stephanie Young, and Christopher Hicks (Laura Akers); and great grandchildren, Caleb Clark, Madeline Clark, Eleanor Clark, Luke Evans, Mya Evans, Milo Richardson, Evan Richardson, Matthew Seger (Susan), Shairon Yancy, Shanice Yancy, Zephaniah Hamilton, and Alec Malcom Akers.

Earnest will be remembered for his kind spirit, his unwavering faith, and his dedication to both his family and his work. He leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty, and devotion.

His life and happiness were supported by his tight-knit Sunday School class who were like his family and the wonderful community of friends and staff at St. Bernards Independent living.

The visitation will be held prior to the service from 1-2 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024 at Emerson Funeral Home with Don Blackmore officiating. Burial will be private at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Nick Williams, Jake Henry Williams, Chad White, Briggs White, Kevin Carpenter, and James Gueno.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate to Local Mpact, P.O. Box 19341, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72403.