Melba Norman Hicks, 81, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. The funeral service will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at Parkers Chapel FWB Church. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens, Washington. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Melba, daughter of the late Hollis R. and Isabel Chancey Norman, grew up in Blounts Creek and was a 1954 graduate of Chocowinity High School. She worked at Burroughs-Welcome, retiring after 25 years and was a longtime member of Parkers Chapel FWB Church in Greenville. She loved gardening, crocheting, reading, playing bingo, and her fish pond.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by sister, Celia Mae Norman, and brothers, John and Jerrell Norman.

Melba is survived by her husband of 23 years, Rodney Hicks; daughters, Debbie Woolard and husband Lee of Washington, Tina Prestridge of Cape Carteret and Trudy Gooding of Washington; grandchildren, Greg Taylor, Kristina Weeks, Robyn Hales, Kelly, Sam and Cassandra Setzer, Briton Prestridge, Samantha Lewis and Jamie Villegas; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made the American Cancer Society, 930-A Wellness Dr, Greenville, NC 27834.

Arrangements by Smith Funeral Service & Crematory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.smithfcs.com.