Dr. Roby Hicks

Dr. Charles Roby Hicks, Jr., a beloved father, grandfather, board certified psychiatrist and resident of Dothan, Alabama, for over 37 years, passed away on February 17 at age 75 after a brief illness. 

Known as Roby, Dr. Hicks was born February 14, 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Roby Hicks, Sr. He spent much of his childhood in Mobile, Alabama, but lived overseas in Munich, Germany for several years while his father worked for Voice of America. He received a B.A. in English and a minor in Russian from Vanderbilt University in 1967 and then attended the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi graduating as a Medical Doctor in 1971.  After 2 years at Ft. Benning, Georgia, while serving in the rank of Major as a U.S. Army Physician, Dr. Hicks separated from the Army, returned to Mobile, and became a member of the medical faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of South Alabama School of Medicine. 

In Jackson, he met the love of his life, Frances-Ann Justice Furr Hicks, who was attending the School of Nursing at the time. They married in 1972, had 3 children together, and celebrated 24 years of marriage until her unexpected death in 1997.

He moved to Dothan in 1983 and began private practice, helping thousands of patients in the Wiregrass improve their mental health and emotional well-being until he retired in 2015.  He truly loved his work and was deeply dedicated to the care of his patients.

Dr. Hicks had three passions in life: his wife, Fran; his children and grandchildren; and the practice of psychiatry.  He also had a lifelong love of knowledge and literature.  He believed in living an informed life, enjoyed dispensing wit and wisdom, and was rarely found without a book in his hand.

He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity for 37 years.  He lived a life of service, generosity, and love in southeast Alabama and he will be missed greatly by his family and countless others who knew him.

Dr. Hicks is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, Andrew Hicks (Tara), Alison Hicks Jackson (Charles), and Edith Hicks O'Sullivan (Greg). One of the greatest joys in his life was watching his children grow and have families of their own, including his six grandchildren: Annabeth and Casey Hicks, Madeline and Charles Jackson, and Amelia and Philip O'Sullivan.  He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Jefferson Hicks (Catherine) of Mobile, Alabama, many nieces and nephews, and his dear friend Gisela Drew of Dothan. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Dothan, Alabama on Friday, February 21st at 2 pm with a visitation beginning at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Southeast Alabama Youth Services or Chrysalis Home for Girls.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Roby Hicks, please visit our floral store.