Ellen Mae Propst Hicks
April 29, 1952 ~ June 25, 2020
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.
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My sincerest condolences
Amy, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was such a fighter. Praying for you and your family.
In memory of Ellen Mae Propst Hicks, Christa Schor lit a candle
In memory of Ellen Mae Propst Hicks, Linda Haller lit a candle
I'm so sorry for your loss. I have so many memories down at Ellens and Georges home, and those white dogs. Amy those was the good old days. I was so blessed to know them, and you and your brother. You are so kind and so loving to others. Amy I miss seeing and talking to you about different things. I love you very much. It makes me very sad you loss your best friend . I will miss seeing her walking the road. God has a place up in heaven and a seat by George. There having a party up there. I love you very much. If you need someone to talk to or need any thing you have my number.
In memory of Ellen Mae Propst Hicks, Hometown Pizzeria lit a candle
Amy & Joe-My sincerest condolences to both of you! Your mother was a beautiful soul and a loss to the community. I will always remember and appreciate how caring she was to her neighbor Betty (my tenant) of many many years . Betty would have not had the quality of life she had thru her last years if not for the kindness and endless generosity of your Mother. Amy I know you are especially aware of just how much Ellen did for Betty. Above and beyond just being a good neighbor! I want you to know your Mothers kindness didn’t go unnoticed and was so appreciated! May she RIP Peace! Take comfort in the fact that your Mother was so well thought of and loved by many!
Shelia Mitchell
I’m so very sorry to learn of Ellen's passing. Jim and I first met Ellen and George in 1981 in childbirth class. (The Propsts had to “drop out” of the class early on account of…Amy!) A number of years later our son Daniel declared that Mrs. Propst was one of his favorite teachers. It was a privilege to know her!
Amy and Joseph,
So sorry that Ellen has passed away..She was very good to me when I worked with her at PMS/ She never said a harsh word about anyone. I never knew her to be
angry… She will always been in your heart.. I pray that you keep your memories in your heart about her so keep them going Love and hugs to both of you..
Love, Janna
I am so sorry for your loss. I was in Ellen's graduating class at Spanishburg. She was a good person. I enjoyed going to school with her.
Ellen's classroom was right across the hall from my room at Philippi Middle. I always appreciated her ability to teach her students to understand how to do math in their heads, not on a calculator. She was a great role model and became a good friend. Always willing to listen to my problems in the classroom and giving suggestions to help handle situations. She was a wonderful mother and wife, being at George's side through out all his illness and procedures. I was so happy to see that she had found someone to make her happy again after George's passing. And was very honored for her to ask me to sing at her wedding. I feel so sorry that she and Bill had such a short time together. My sincere sympathy goes to Amy, Joe, and Bill as well as the rest of her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.
In memory of Ellen Mae Propst Hicks, Judy Stewart Dadisman lit a candle
Sylvia and mom…..please accept my sincere condolences in the passing of Ellen. I know it has been a long battle……but from what I have read , Ellen is home with her Lord and Savior. You both are in our prayers. Sue and Butch Cahill.
Amy, Joseph and family:My deepest condolences for your loss. I knew your GM Glenna (close friends of my parents) and George for long time then meet your mom when she taught my children whom they loved deeply. Ellen was always smiling and beautiful kind lady. You’ve been blessed with wonderful parents and trust and lean towards God for comfort only he can provide. Hold the beautiful memories close to your heart and one day will meet again in heaven! Love you bunches Amy and Joseph been long time but love never fades.
So very sorry for your loss. I have known Bill for many years and did not know Ellen well. Anytime I was around her she was a very pleasant person and had a warming heart. Tears and prayers for her entire family. Paul Williams
I am shocked and deeply saddened to just learn of Ellen's passing and want to express my sorrow and sympathies to her family. Ellen was a beautiful caring soul, a lovely person who I always enjoyed talking with. I regret that I was away and not available to attend her viewing or pay my respects to the family. She will be missed by all.
I am so so sorry to hear of Ellen's passing.. Prayers for Amy and Family and her son and other members.. Rest in Peace Ellen