Ida Sue Hicks Luker, age 81, of Batesville, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
She was born on October 3, 1944, to Gordie Hicks and Jewel Cavenar Hicks.
Ida Sue graduated from Batesville High School in 1961. She attended Arkansas College, now Lyon, where she received a degree in English in 1965. While in college, she was a member of the Lassies singing group. She went on several U.S.O. trips with this group. She was also a Class Beauty, Homecoming Queen, Cheerleader, and Class Officer. She was also a former Miss Batesville.
She attended the University of Arkansas, where she received her master’s degree. Ida Sue obtained a job as an airline’s stewardess with Western Airlines. After working for them for several years, the airline was purchased by Delta. Ida Sue worked for them until she retired after 9/11.
Ida Sue was a lifetime member of Central Avenue United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Church Choir.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to Eagle Mountain Assisted Living and to Gentiva Hospice.
She is survived by her cousins, Martha Ann Lewallen (Ron), Dr. Lackey Gene Moody (Sarah), all of Batesville, Arkansas, Wilsene Kwok (Jack) of Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Mildred Cavenar of Kansas City, Kansas.
Pallbearers are Lackey Gene Moody, Jr., Lackey Gene Moody, III, Lindsey Castleberry, David Meachum, Douglas Meachum, Daniel Meachum, and Archie Lewallen. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Lackey Gene Moody, Sr. and Ron Lewallen.
Funeral services will be held at Central Avenue United Methodist Church on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Cale McGillvray and Rev. Erika Kaye Godwin officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made in her memory to GoFund Wings for the Angelman Foundation at support.angelman.org and to the Spina Bifida Association of Arkansas, 700 E 9th St, Little Rock, AR 72202.
