Gwen Hicks, founder of Amarillo Angels and a longtime educator and child advocate in the Texas Panhandle, died Friday at the age of 66.
According to her obituary published by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon, Hicks graduated from Permian High School in 1978 before earning her degree from West Texas State University in 1981.
She began her career in education at Sundown Elementary, where she taught until 1983. Hicks returned to the classroom in 1989 as a fifth-grade teacher at Oscar Hinger Intermediate School and later taught kindergarten at Rex Reeves Elementary beginning in 2000.
While teaching, Hicks returned to West Texas A&M University to earn a master's degree in counseling in 2000. She then became a counselor at Westover Park Junior High in Canyon ISD before joining Region 16 Education Service Center in 2004.
During her time at Region 16, Hicks served in several leadership roles, including Director of Instructional Services, Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction and Coordinator of Head Start.
After retiring from public education in 2014, Hicks turned her focus to supporting children in foster care and the families who care for them. She founded Amarillo Angels in 2017, creating a nonprofit dedicated to providing practical support and consistent relationships for foster caregivers and youth. Hicks served as the organization's Chief Dreamer for nine years before retiring in 2025.
Outside of her professional career, Hicks remained active in her church and the community. Her obituary states she served First Baptist Church in Canyon for more than 40 years as a member of the praise and worship team and choir, taught Sunday School, volunteered with the youth group and served on church committees. She later joined River Fellowship Church, where she launched a women's mentoring program.
Hicks also volunteered with the Canyon Lion's Club and Canyon Main Street.
