Ellen Mae Propst Hicks

Ellen Mae (Farley) Propst Hicks, 68, of Philippi, departed this life on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 11 a.m. She had been hospitalized at West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown WV and her life ended after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born April 29, 1952, in Princeton, WV to Roy Carl and Dora Ann (Frary) Farley as the second of four children. On December 22, 1973 she married George A. Propst, who preceded her in death on April 25, 2009; they are the parents of Amy G. Propst Unger (husband, Frank) and Joseph Carl Propst (companion, Chrissy Toothman) who survive. On November 3, 2018, she married William (Bill) Hicks, who survives.
In addition to her children and husband, Bill; she is survived by one sister, Dr. Sylvia (Farley) Wright, brother, Rev. Larry R. Farley (wife, Barbara), brother-in-law, Ben Propst (wife, Joan), stepson Kevin Hicks and family, stepdaughter Kelley (Hicks) Barnhart and family and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, her first husband and a brother, Gilbert Roy Farley.
Ellen was a graduate of Spanishburg High School, as the salutatorian of the Class of 1970. She graduated from Alderson Broaddus University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in education and from West Virginia University with a master’s degree in education, completing an additional 45 academic credits beyond her master’s degree. She taught secondary education mathematics and elementary school in the Barbour County Schools for over 32 years; was named Teacher of the Year in 1990; and, was named Gear-Up role model in 2005.
She was active in many church-related events and activities. Ellen lived her life according to Christian principles she learned as a child. She loved everyone in her life and was always willing to help others. Her family meant everything to her, and she would say “I love you” to them often. She was a great teacher and lived by the morals and values she taught. Her warm smile, kind words, and compassionate presence will be sorely missed, but her loving and giving ways will always be remembered.
Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home and Crematory 220 N. Walnut St. Philippi on Monday, June 29th from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Tuesday, June 30th from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm. Interment will follow in Mt. Hebron Cemetery.