Audrea Lillian Hicks passed away from complications of Parkinson’s on Monday, April 27, 2026. 

Audrea was born in Jackson, Mississippi on November 12, 1941. She was the fourth surviving child of Marie Louise Blount Hicks and Ralph Wesley Hicks (a brother Edward Allen always lovingly referred to as “Boy” Hicks and a sister Evelyn Louise Hicks died before Audrea’s birth). Audrea’s sister Carol Frances and brothers Ralph Harriman and Geoffrey Sumner Hicks welcomed their new sister into the rollicking Hicks family. 

Audrea made her mark on the family early. Always a feisty participant in games and sports, Audrea had a reputation of finding fun (and sometimes trouble) wherever she was. The effervescent Hicks family moved several times and made its impact on Birmingham, Alabama, Atlanta, Georgia, Jackson and Hattiesburg, Mississippi (Audrea graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 1959). But no matter their moves, Audrea and her siblings felt drawn to their mother’s hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana and to the Gulf Coast town of Pass Christian, Mississippi. 

Audrea excelled in tennis and all water sports. She was an outstanding swimmer and boats-woman; good at sailing and motor boating and impressive on water skis. She taught numerous nieces and nephews and even great nieces and nephews to love the Mississippi Gulf waters and to water ski. 

Audrea graduated from Hattiesburg High School and subsequently prepared to become a Catholic Nun at the St Joseph’s convent in New Orleans. But Audrea wasn’t meant for the convent and left before taking final vows. Her oldest niece says, “I always thought she might be a problem like Maria from the Sound of Music; just too full of passion for life to be a fit for a convent”. 

Audrea completed a bachelor’s degree at Southeastern in Hammond, Louisiana. She became an outstanding sales woman well liked on her New Orleans routes at companies including General Mills, Community Coffee, and Qualex a partner of Kodak film development. 

Audrea had three long domestic partnerships with Cathy Drolla (a lifelong favorite among Audrea’s family), Shelia Glynn and culminating with her forever partner Stephanie Bourgeois. In this regard, Audrea was a role model demonstrating that “family” is best defined by those whom you love deeply. 

In the early 1990s Audrea met her last love, Stephanie Bourgeois. Audrea, Stephanie and their friend Jo Louise Pecararo decided to build a forever home in Mandeville, Louisiana. They poured their life savings and sweat equity into making the perfect three lady nest with suites for all and common areas for cooking, dining and congregating. They created beautiful gardens and welcomed family and friends. Their home always has been a place of love and friendship. 

As Audrea and her friends aged, they redefined family again. Former students of Jo Louise, Chandria Jones and her sister Candence Jones became caregivers for all three ladies. Their constant love, humor, care and attention made it possible for Jo Louise, Stephanie and Audrea to remain in their home, cared for and attended until the very end. 

Audrea was preceded in death by her siblings Ralph Harriman Hicks, Carol Frances Hicks West and Geoffrey Sumner Hicks, as well as her friends Cathy Drolla, Shelia Glynn, Jo Louise Pecararo and her partner Stephanie Nash Bourgeois. She leaves behind a sister-in-law, Pat Hicks (Geoffrey Hicks), a close group of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, and her loving caregivers Chandria and Candance Jones.   

Audrea will be interred in New Orleans in the Tremoulet family tomb in St Louis Cemetery Number 3 on May 29, 2026.  

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