Susie Lorene hICKS

Susie Lorene Hicks passed away peacefully in the comfort of her loving home on Sunday morning, March 22, 2026, at the age of 76.

Susie was born on December 11, 1949, in Leesville, Texas, into a large and deeply close-knit family of thirteen brothers and sisters, raised by their hardworking parents, Henry and Erith Ivey West. That strong foundation of family stayed with her throughout her life and became the very thing she built her own life upon.

She made her home in Gonzales, Texas, where she created a life rooted in faith, family, and unwavering love. Susie was a strong and optimistic woman who always found a way to see the good, even when life got hard. She carried herself with both strength and softness—a rare balance that brought comfort to everyone around her.

To her family, she was far more than a sister, mother, aunt, or grandmother. She was the foundation. The rock. The glue. Her home was always open, and at some point, every one of her children, grandchildren, and loved ones in need found a place under her roof. And without exception, they felt safe, loved, and blessed because of it.

Susie was known for her willingness to help others, her perfectly timed humor, and the little moments that became lifelong memories. She took pride in everything she did. Her yard and flower beds were a labor of love, and her grass—without question—was the thickest in all of Gonzales. She never let anyone else mow it because she loved the reward of seeing how “pretty” it turned out.

Her bright yellow house stood as a landmark, always decorated just right for the season. When asked why she chose yellow, she would laugh and say, “So y’all don’t miss me when you go driving by.”

She had an uncanny way of knowing everything going on with the people she loved, earning her the joking title of “The Gonzales Gazette.” But in time, everyone came to understand—it wasn’t gossip. It was care. People shared their lives with her because they knew she genuinely loved them.

To her grandbabies, she wasn’t Susie—she was “Nanny.” And being a Nanny was a title she carried with pride. Her children will tell you she loved them deeply, but there was something extra special about the love she had for her grandchildren.

From her back scratches—powered by what many would swear were perfectly engineered fingernails—to always having a Pepsi close by for her grandkids to grab a “swaller” before running back out to play, those moments became memories that will never fade. To this day, a Pepsi will never just be a soda—it will always be “Nanny’s Pepsi.”

She was also known for her sayings—the kind that stick with you for life. One that will never be forgotten:

“Shit in one hand and wish in the other and see which one fills up first,”
always followed by her unmistakable laugh.

Before many knew her as Nanny, she worked alongside her husband in their carpet installation business. But her greatest role—her true calling—was being Nanny. She didn’t need a title or a paycheck to prove her work ethic. She lived it every single day.

Her faith in God was steady and deeply rooted. She was a guiding force in her family’s belief, often reminding them,
“Baby, always trust God.”
“All we can do is pray… it’s the best thing we can do.”

She loved her family more than anything. That was the value she instilled above all else—that no matter what happens in life, you always have your family.

She will be remembered for her laughter, her strength, her sayings, her yellow house, her Pepsi, her coloring books, and the way she made every person in her life feel like they mattered.

More than anything, she will be remembered for the love she gave—freely, fully, and without condition—a love that will continue to live on in every one of us.

She is survived by her sisters, Adaline Gordon, Dora Quinney, and Gillis Yaws; her brothers, Ferd West and Ernest West; her daughter, Pamela Dee West; her son, Larry DeWayne Ivey; her grandchildren, Kevin Lee Kovar, Kory Layne Robbins, Kyle DeWayne Robbins, Michael Joe Ivey, and Gavin Ray Ivey; and her great-grandchildren, Jaiden Charles Robbins and Ramey Leigh Robbins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Erith Ivey West; her sister, Dorothy Fagan; her brothers, David West, Leonard West, Clarence West, Jesse West, Oliver West, and Alvin West; her husbands, Michael Henry Ivey and Douglas Ray Hicks; her only granddaughter, Amber Leigh Robbins; and her first great-grandson, Kaiden Rockeen Robbins.

The immediate family will receive friends and loved ones from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Finch Funeral Home in Nixon, Texas. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Michael Cowey officiating. Interment will take place at Leesville Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Kovar, Kory Robbins, Kyle Robbins, Michael Ivey, Gavin Ivey, Jacob McDaniel, Tammy West, and Brian Quinney.

“Y’all come see me, baby”

Yes ma’am, I will Nanny.