Alma Mae Hicks (Eccles), 73, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026, in the comfort of her home. She was born on May 15, 1952, in Eureka, California, and was the beloved daughter of the late Bill and Kathleen Eccles.
Alma was a woman of faith who loved Jesus deeply—but she would be the first to tell you she wasn’t perfect. Her faith wasn’t polished or performative; it was real, lived out in everyday moments, honest conversations, and showing up when it mattered most. She believed in grace, second chances, and doing the best you could with what God gave you. Alma lived the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weakness, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak I am strong”
She loved people fiercely and generously. Alma would give the shirt off her back, and probably a piece of advice you didn’t ask for—but needed. Her kindness was genuine, her heart wide open, and her love unconditional. If you were hurting, Alma showed up. If you were celebrating, she was right there too—usually with laughter and a story.
As the matriarch of her family, Alma led with strength, humor, and a steady dose of tough love. She was strong-willed, wonderfully stubborn, and a woman who knew what she wanted—and usually prayed about it first. She believed faith meant spreading the Gospel of Jesus, loving hard, telling the truth, and not letting the people you love give up on themselves. Through every season of life, Alma stood firm, offering guidance, honesty, and a reminder that God and family always come first.
Alma was kind, funny, adventurous, carefree, and full of life. She had a quick wit, a contagious laugh, and a way of making even difficult moments a little lighter. Being loved by Alma meant being accepted completely—flaws and all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Garry William Hicks; her children Stephanie Lynn Aikins (Nelson) and Thomas William Nelson III; her grandson, B.B. Priest; her great-grandson; her brothers William (Billy) Allen Eccles, Rodney Joseph Eccles, John Foster Eccles, and Jeffery Lynn Eccles; and her parents, Bill Eccles and Kathleen Joan Reaves.
Alma is survived by her sisters, Melinda Jo Perry (Eccles) and Jacqueline Kathleen Estrada (Reaves); her children Darrick (Della) Wayne Nelson, Jeramie (Sherri) Nelson, and Joseph (Synnove) Allen Nelson, Nell (Jason) Marie Hicks and Jed Allen Hicks; her grandchildren Heather, Peter, Megan, Mandi, Jewel, Larry, Darrick, Joseph, Brittany, Destiny, Constance, Conner, Sara, Joshua, Briana, James, and Presley; her 27 great-grandchildren; and many loved family members and friends.
Alma’s life reflected the promise of Proverbs 31:25:
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Service details will be announced at a later date.
Flower and memorial information will be provided by the family.
Alma’s faith, honesty, laughter, and love will live on forever in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
Services are in the care of Pace Funeral Home.
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