Marilyn Lu Larner Hicks, 92, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2016. Born January 18, 1924, in Dallas, Texas, to Jeanne & Ray Albert Larner, she graduated from Eastland High and attended Baylor. In February 1943 she met a young window covering salesman who swept her off her feet. She married Valton Tracy Hicks on June 18, 1943, in Waco. She soon followed him to US Marines boot camp in California where she worked for Consolidated Aeronautics & wrote manuals for the work stations. The Hicks moved to San Antonio to start their family and settled in Dallas to raise their four children. She dedicated her life to her family. Marilyn later worked for Sanger Harris in Preston Center and served as secretary at Nathan Adams Elementary, retiring with Val to travel in their Winnebago including two trips to Alaska! They enjoyed membership in Big D Winnies, Heart of Texas Winnies, Rollin' Nobles and the Park Cities RV clubs. The Hicks were members of Woods & Water Club as they were avid hunters and fishermen. She enjoyed traveling twice to Peru and Hawaii and once to Europe. A member of Park Cities Baptist Church since 1947, she taught with Martha Howard for years and enjoyed the Amitie class. Her passion in life was family history. She was a member of DAR, Colonial Dames, Peter's Colony Genealogy Society, Dallas Genealogy Society and the Friends of Hobbs State Park. Her travels then focused on research for her books. As she delved into the life of Peter Van Winkle in Rogers, Arkansas, she uncovered information that brought light to his life accomplishments. His land is included in the Hobbs State Park and Conservation Area. Her research led to the creation of the Van Winkle Trails on Little Clifty Creek where she spoke at the opening on National Trails Day, 2009. Author of two family history books, The Larner Book & The Van Winkle Family, she was writing a historical trilogy of the lives of her grandparents, Lutie's Story; Guy's Story; Steele Legacy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Val and her son, Valton Tracy Hicks, Jr. She is survived by son, Ray Hicks & wife Priscilla, daughters Pam Hicks and Sheri Berrier & husband John; grandchildren, Valton Tracy Hicks III (Trae) & wife Clover, Ashleigh Hicks, Darby Hicks & husband Trey Meyer, Devin Hicks & wife Meredith, Barry, Taylor & Morgan Berrier; great grandchildren, Dax Lawhon & Luna Hicks; sister, Jeanne Conte and many cousins, nephews & nieces; & her 20 "Duchess Angels". Special thanks to her care giver Cheryl Smith and nurse Merlinna Zadoka and the teams of Southwestern University Medical Center. The celebration of her life will be at Park Cities Baptist Church at 11:00 Saturday, May 14, 2016. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Friends of Hobbs State Park, PO 709, Rogers, Arkansas 72757 or Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, 118 W Johnson Ave, Springdale, Arkansas 79764.