ROZELLE WICKS

Mrs. Rozelle Royall Wicks, 76, of Maysville, died Monday, October 29, 2007 at the Craven Regional Medical Center.
She was born June 29, 1931 in Clinton, the daughter of the late Robert Fulton Royall and Rozelle Robinson Royall. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Wilda Royall Kuetemeyer and Jeanne Royall Morrice.
Mrs. Wicks graduated from Clinton High School in 1949 and from Woman's College (now UNC-Greensboro) in 1953. She began her teaching career as a French and music teacher at Roanoke Rapids High School. She married Wallace Wicks June 19, 1955 and they had three children. In 1965 the family moved to Maysville where she served as an active community leader until her death. She taught at Maysville Elementary, and then was a founder of Onslow Academy in Jacksonville, where she taught French, English and music through 1983, and served as headmistress for five years. She was an active member of the teacher's honor society, Alpha Delta Kappa. She returned to Jones County Public Schools and served until her retirement in 1996 as the Community Schools Coordinator, and used her professional experiences as teacher, principal and musician to enrich the citizens of Jones County. Well beyond her retirement she led community choirs, accompanied soloists in many different settings and brought the community together for educational fairs and community festivals.
She was a founder of the Jones County Arts Council and remained active as a leader until her death. She was a founding board member of the Jones County Civic Center and the Quaker Neck Country Club, and with her husband, served as an active member of the Jones County Historical Society. She served as a docent at Foscue Plantation House. She served on the Roanoke Voyages Commission and the UNC-G Alumni Association Board of Directors. In recognition of her significant volunteer service she was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
She was a faithful member of the Pollocksville Presbyterian Church where she served as organist and choir director from 1980 until her death. She served as a deacon, officer of Presbyterian Women, and director of many special musical and liturgical services. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists, and sang for many years with the Craven Community Chorus and the Carteret Chorale. She used her God-given talents in music; her beautiful smile, intelligence, diplomacy, and creativity to improve people's lives and to live the gospel in her daily life.
Surviving are her loving family: her devoted husband of fifty-two years, Wallace Wayne Wicks of the home; son, William Royall Wicks and wife Kelly of Valdosta, GA; daughter, Robin Wicks Robinson and husband Chip of Wilmington; daughter, Laura Wallace Wicks of Asheville; four grandchildren, Glennie Jeane Wicks and Lorrie Bruning Wicks of Valdosta, GA and James Hendry Robinson III and Wallace Katherine McLean Robinson of Wilmington, and cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, at the Pollocksville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Eric Faust officiating. Family graveside service will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the Clinton Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 2 at the Pollocksville Presbyterian Church.
Memorials may be made to the Pollocksville Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 205, Pollocksville, NC 28573 or the Jones County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 626, Maysville, NC 28555.
Arrangements by Sayland Funeral Home Maysville, NC.
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