Cheryl Pitts Hicks

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say it is well, it is well, with my soul." Cheryl Pitts Hicks, the only daughter and oldest of three children born to Charlie Eugene Pitts and Ida Rachel Cochran Pitts, was born on December 30, 1947, at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 with her husband Jerry Hicks, and her children, Kimberly Madison and Kevin Feil at her side. Cheryl was the cherished heartbeat of her family, a gracious Southern lady who left a legacy of faith, family, and friends. In Cheryl's words, she enjoyed an idyllic childhood on Rockhaven Circle and later, Cedarbrook Court in Atlanta, Georgia along with her two brothers Ronnie and David. From the moment she was born, Cheryl was the apple of her family's eye. Growing up, she was a member of Inman Park United Methodist Church. Cheryl was a girly girl through and through loving all things that involved fashion and design. A talented seamstress, and impeccably stylish, she often made her own clothing and home decor that complimented the latest fashion and design trends throughout her life. It was nothing for her to move furniture or redecorate as her family slept. In addition, she enjoyed the hobby of cross stitching and could often be found creating samplers during her children's extracurricular activities. Cheryl spent her teen years babysitting and working at Sears. She was a 1966 graduate of Gordon High School in Atlanta, Georgia and was a member of the Davidson's Teen Board. Following graduation, she attended Dekalb Junior College. Cheryl married her first husband, Larry Feil in 1968 and lived on Warner Robbins Air Force Base and later College Park. In 1970, she became a mother to twins Kevin and Kimberly. She moved with her family to Fayetteville, Georgia in 1974. Here, she raised her family, was a member of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, where she also played on the church softball team, and later became a charter member of North Fayette United Methodist church. Cheryl worked simultaneously as an administrative secretary for both Barber and Tedder Construction as well as the honorable Juvenile Court Judge, Claude L. Goza. Once her children started school, Cheryl began working for the Fayette County Board of Education where she worked as a secretary for almost 29 years, until her retirement. In July 2003, Cheryl married her husband of 22 years, Jerry Hicks. Together, they enjoyed a life full of faith, family, friends, laughter, music, travel, walks in the neighborhood, and numerous adventures while residing in Peachtree City, Georgia and Newnan, Georgia where she and Jerry attended Central Baptist Church since 2018. Cheryl and Jerry loved traveling all over the country including the beach and her favorite destination, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. One of her favorite pastimes was attending concerts with Jerry, "digging in the dirt", as well as visiting with family and friends. Cheryl spent her life as a devoted wife, daughter, mother, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, and cousin. She was deeply loved by all who knew her, including her family and countless friends. One of Cheryl's favorite roles was that of "Gigi". She adored her grandchildren and could often be found in the stands cheering them on at football and baseball games as well as attending chorus concerts, dance recitals, and a host of other events. In addition, she adored her granddog Riley Grace as well as her grandcats Vincent and Giada. Cheryl's life took a different course when she was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 2012. Throughout her cancer journey, Cheryl fought hard with the continuous support and encouragement of her husband Jerry, family, friends, and countless others for fourteen years. Cheryl faced her diagnosis with indeterminable strength, patience, compassion, optimism, and grace. In the midst of her journey, her goal was to "just live", a sentiment she encouraged those who loved her to follow. Also, in early 2026 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. However, her sudden passing was the result of an unexpected injury. She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Jerry Hicks, her daughter Kimberly Madison, Kimberly's husband Mike Madison, their children, Nicholas Madison and Ansleigh Madison; her son Kevin Feil, Kevin's wife Michelle Feil; her stepson Jeremiah Hicks, Jeremiah's wife Ari Hicks, their children, Emily Hicks and Tabitha Hicks; her stepdaughter Cristina Truax, Cristina's husband Jerry Truax, and their children, Isaac Truax, Zachary Truax, Benjamin Truax, and Ethan Truax; her brother Ron Pitts, his wife Susan Pitts, niece Cassie Pitts, nephew Cochran Pitts and his wife Chelsea Pitts; her brother David Pitts, his wife Margie Pitts; her niece Tracy O'Donnell, several cousins, extended family, and a wide circle of friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Charlie Eugene Pitts and Ida Rachel Pitts; her grandparents Charlie and Martha Pitts, and grandparents Tea and Ida Pearl Cochran. Cheryl will be profoundly missed and remembered as a loving wife and mother, as well as for the boundless joy, kindness, happiness, and unconditional love that she so freely gave to others. Her memory will remain in our hearts, always and forever. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 11th at Central Baptist Church, 14 West Broad Street, Newnan, Georgia. Visitation for family and friends will be from 1:30-3:00 PM in the fellowship hall. Cheryl's wonderful life will be remembered in a service at 3:00 PM in the church sanctuary, officiated by Reverend Katie Faison. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that her life be remembered by a memorial contribution to the Lymphoma Research Foundation (www.lymphoma.org), the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), or the Kessler Foundation (brain injury research) (www.kesslerfoundation.org). Online condolences may be expressed at www.mckoon.com McKoon Funeral Home and Crematory 38 Jackson Street Newnan GA 30263. 770-253-4580.

Cheryl Pitts Hicks

December 30, 1947 - April 7, 2026