Mary Elizabeth Hicks Birmingham

Mary Elizabeth Hicks Birmingham, 75, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died Tuesday, August 14, 2018, from a very rare, aggressive, autoimmune disease. She is survived by her two sons, Brian (Melanie) Birmingham of Fort Worth, Texas, and Barry (Sheri) Birmingham of Memphis, Tennessee, and also by five grandchildren: Brittany, Braden, Blake, Brooke, and Berklee. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Helms of Russellville, Arkansas, her niece Donna Helms of Little Rock, Arkansas, and her nephew Dr. Bill (Kelli) Helms, of Conway, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Dr. Don Birmingham, her parents, John and Floy Hicks of Tuckerman, Arkansas, her brother-in-law, Dr. Don Helms of Russellville, Arkansas, and her niece Cheryl Helms, of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mary lived in Searcy and was a member of the Cloverdale Church of Christ for several years prior to relocating to Little Rock in recent years. She was born April 2, 1943, in Newport, Arkansas. She graduated from Tuckerman high school in 1961 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education from Harding University in 1965. She earned her Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 1973. She served as a teacher and high school counselor for several years at White County Central in Judsonia, Arkansas, retiring in 2003. She always went the extra mile for others, including learning Spanish to better help her students. Living out her faith and spending time with her family were her greatest joys. She also loved animals, and enjoyed the company of a canine friend. She touched many with her kind spirit and was loved and respected by family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 2 p.m., with visitation at 1 p.m., at Roller Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy, Arkansas. Interment at White County Memorial Gardens in Searcy, Arkansas, will immediately follow the service.