Rowena Renn-Hicks

Rowena Laura Simpson Renn-Hicks , age 85, died on Thursday, January 21 after midnight in Atlanta, Georgia while convalescing from hip surgery. Born July 14, 1929 in Roanoke, Virginia to the late Hugh Hammond and Mabel Gross Simpson, Rowena attended Warwick High School, Warwick, Virginia and graduated from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia (now University of Mary Washington) with a major in Music (Voice). She was later awarded a Master's degree in Choral Conducting from Georgia State University. Rowena was well equipped to begin her long career in musical leadership and choral conducting. With half of her career spent as a Minister of Music in United Methodist churches, Rowena inspired and impacted a generation of youth choir members and led adult and children's choirs, lending her expertise as well as her love for music. Rowena also taught voice and related courses, thereafter, in colleges and universities including; Agnes Scott College, Georgia Southern University, University of West Georgia, Mercer University and Georgia Perimeter College. During this period, she maintained a studio in her home for private students. She loved to travel and visited most of the United States as well as countries in Europe, Niger, Canada, and Haiti. Some of her fondest memories were conducting the Agnes Scott Glee Club in concert in Notre Dame in Paris; singing an aria for Nigerienne musicians in the desert in Niger, Africa; singing the National Anthem for a Falcons' game and touring the states with nearly 80 teenagers in the Oak Grove Youth Choir for many years. Since 1967 Rowena has been a dedicated member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church where she served as Minister of Music, Lay Leader, Chair of the Church Council and a teacher in her much loved Seekers Class. She was predeceased by her first husband, Edwin E. Renn, Jr. in 2005. Married happily for 55 years, they lived in Newport News, VA; Hyattsville, MD, and Augusta, GA where Ed served in the U.S. army during the Korean War before settling in Atlanta, GA. She married James Robert Hicks, Jr. in 2008, who faithfully supported her during three years of cancer. Rowena was treasured by many and will be remembered for her strength and elegance, her love for life and her family. She is survived by her beloved children: Edwin E. Renn, III (Leslie Anne), Rebecca Renn Parks (Bill), and Mary Christina O'Kelley (John). One of the joys of her life was her grandchildren; Jessica Fleming Millwood, Carleigh Fleming, Ernie Renn, Will O'Kelley, Luke O'Kelley and Anna Rose O'Kelley. S he is also survived by seven great -grandchildren, several step-children (Linda Gorka , Lisa Patrick and Robert Hicks), step- grandchildren and one step- great granddaughter. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Music Program at Oak Grove United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Oak Grove Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd. Atlanta, GA 30033 at 2pm on Saturday, January 24 with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.



Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033