Lea Ann Hicks Church

Lea Ann Hicks Church, 66, of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, following complications from cancer. Born on December 19, 1958, in Jackson, Tennessee, Lea was the daughter of the late Captain Leroy and Patricia McKenzie Hicks. 

Lea was a woman of quiet strength, wisdom, and grace—a steady, loving presence to all who knew her. She retired from Mighty Product Center as a Warehouse Leader and cherished a brief but meaningful retirement near the shores of Kentucky Lake. Lea was an avid reader who loved the simple peace of lake life, but her greatest joy was always her family. 

Lea shared a lifelong love with her husband, Steven Craig Church; the two were childhood playmates and high school sweethearts. Together they built a life filled with laughter, faith, and deep devotion. She is survived by Steven; her sister, Jan Hicks Age(Ed Age): her children, Shanna Church Evans(Mark Evans), Christa Church Lane(Second Lieutenant Brandon Lane), Craig Church(Mary Church) and Emilee Church Bruen(Hal Bruen) Her beloved grandchildren: Jagger Reese Evans, Gabrielle Ashlyn Little, Dylan McKenzie Evans, Landon Joe Church, Hallie Jane Bruen, Lillie Morgan Evans, Allie McKenzie Church, and McCoy Lee Bruen. Her mother in law: Emilee Qualls Church, sister in law Janet Church Fesmire(Mitch Fesmire), and nephews Walt Fesmire(Laurie Fesmire) and Will Fesmire(Fahren Fesmire.)

Lea’s life was a reflection of faith, compassion, and quiet strength. Funeral services will be private. 

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her….Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”-Proverbs 31:28–31