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April 7, 1942 – Nov. 4, 2024

NATCHEZ – A Funeral Mass for Joan Elizabeth Hicks Brown, 82, of Natchez, who died on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Natchez, will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at St. Mary Basilica with Father Aaron Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 9:30 until 11 a.m. at St. Mary Basilica.

Joan Elizabeth Hicks Brown was born on April 7, 1942, in Natchez, to John Edward Hicks, Sr. and Mary Alice Thames Hicks. She was a 1960 graduate of Cathedral School. She was one of the first employees hired when First Natchez Bank, now United Mississippi Bank, opened its doors in 1973, and eventually served as Head Teller. Later, she left the bank and went to work as a bookkeeper in her family’s business, J. E. Hicks Distributing Company (Hicks-Chiks) where she remained until her retirement. In 1987, she moved from Natchez to Lake St. John, LA, where she resided for 32 years at her lake home “Cotton Blossom”. In 2019, she returned to Natchez where she lived until her death. Her hobbies included fishing, quilting, and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. She was the mother to three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren to whom she was their “Nana”. While on Lake St. John, she faithfully attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Waterproof, LA., and upon returning to Natchez, she renewed her membership at St. Mary Basilica, the church where she was baptized, married, and now where her funeral will take place.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, John Edward Hicks, Sr., and Mary Alice Thames Hicks; daughter, Melissa Lynn Brown Holder, and nephew, Nicholas Pastor.

She is survived by her sons, Walter Jeffrey Brown and wife, Lashon Brown of Natchez; and Patrick Kevin Brown and wife, Lee Carney Brown of Ridgeland, MS. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Meghan Little and husband, Trace Little of Cullman, AL., Jake Holder and Bailey Holder of Madison, MS; Abby Brown Mardis and husband, Chisum Mardis and Faith Anne Brown all of Natchez; and great-granddaughters, Savannah Little, Shelby Little and Salem Holder. She is also survived by her brother, Johnny Hicks, and wife, Betty Lou Hicks of Natchez, and her sister, Jumel Shaidnagle and husband, William Shaidnagle of Ocean Springs; her son-in-law, Derrick Holder of Madison, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and former classmates.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jake Holder, John Hicks, Trace Little, Derrick Holder and Chisum Mardis.

The family wishes to especially thank the staff at Magnolia Village for the loving care and compassion they provided to her during the last few months of her life.

Memorials may be made to Cathedral School or any charity of their choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.