WILMINGTON — Constance Rebecca Hicks, age 81, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on June 17, 1944, in Clinton, New Jersey, to Josephine and Jacob Mitchell, Constance was orphaned as an infant and lovingly adopted by Ruth and Amos Goodell.
Constance lived a life of devotion, creativity, and resourcefulness. She made clothes for her family, crafted heartfelt gifts, and poured love into every stitch of her sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Her creations became treasured pieces of family history reminders of her talent, warmth, and the joy she found in giving.
Musically inclined, Constance played piano, organ, and xylophone and sang lead soprano in her church choir. Her voice lifted hymns that touched hearts and strengthened her community.
Constance was a lifelong learner, attending college after high school, obtaining her first associate’s degree as a medical secretary and later finishing an associate’s degree in medical coding in her sixties.
She had a lifelong love for animals and shared her home with countless pets over the years. Their companionship brought her comfort and joy, and her gentle spirit made her a natural caregiver to every creature she welcomed.
Above all, Constance was a devoted wife and mother. Her home was a place of comfort, laughter, and the kind of steady love that leaves a lifelong imprint.
Marriage and Family
At the time of her passing, Constance was married to the love of her life, Charles Robert Hicks. They met in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2000, and were married 5 years later on July, 30, 2005. Though they met later in life, the 25 years they shared together were filled with adventure, devotion, and unconditional love.
She was previously married to Alan C. Lawson Sr., with whom she shared meaningful years and raised five children.
Constance is survived by her children:
Alan Lawson Jr. and his wife Terry Lawson
Rebecca Zumpe and her husband Christoph Zumpe
Rene Ayers and her husband Timothy Ayers
Richard T. Lawson Sr.
Ruthanne Palumbo and her husband Donald Palumbo
Stepchildren:
Mark Hicks
Matt Hicks and his wife Amanda Tran
Amy Bullen and her husband Clarence Bullen
Grandchildren:
Ryan Ayers
Chelsey Ayers-Croce
Jacob Palumbo
Richard Lawson Jr.
Gabriel Lawson
Nathan Lawson
Cory Lawson
Benjamin Zumpe
Great-grandchildren:
Caleb Ayers
Rowen Ayers
Joshua Croce
Mikah‑Dawn Lawson
Great-great Grandchildren
Astraea Malacara-Palumbo
Sibling:
· John Mitchell Seals
Extended family:
Sisters-in-law: Karen Klebe, Jo‑Ann Schmitt, Susan Hicks
Brother’s-in-law: Tom Hicks
Nephews: Carl Klebe, Oliver Klebe, Shawn Klebe, Matt Klebe, Andrew Klebe, Ian Davis
Niece: Peggy Lewis
Her legacy lives on through these and countless other loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family, and through the memories she created with each of them.
Preceded in Death By:
Birth parents: Josephine and Jacob Mitchell
Adoptive parents: Ruth and Amos Goodell
Stepmother: Lyda Purdee-Goodell
Siblings: Steward Mitchell, Dorothy Pickle, Joan Fish, Peter Mitchell, Nancy Jones
Grandchild: Kristine Palumbo
Brothers-in-law: Oliver Klebe, Eugene Schmitt
The family will honor her life at a private gathering, cherishing the memories and the immeasurable impact she had on each of them.
