Cathy Jo Wicks

Cathy Jo Wicks returned to the open Arms of her Heavenly Father on September 23, 2020. She was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to John William Wicks and Betty Jo Wicks. At the age of two they moved to Brewster, Kansas and began a life of ranching and farming. She was always grateful for all the lessons learned about God's ways from farming. She was a wildcat at Kansas State University before taking off on an adventure to Los Angeles, CA in the sixties. It was there at age 22 she had an encounter with Jesus Christ and became His disciple. Returning to Kansas she served as a child evangelist for many years until she discovered her true calling as a bible teacher. Through a profound set of circumstancesin 1976, it was revealed to her that the Lord had called her to be a missionary/teacher to Oklahoma City. On September 7th, she and 5 others moved to OKC to establish a Christian theatre called "Happy Am I" in the old Faith Tabernacle church on NW 2nd and Western. It was quite an adventure of faith for them making their home in Sunday school rooms bathing and eating in the church gym. After two years the property sold and they all went their separate ways except for Cathy Jo who remained. By then she had a couple of weekly Bible studies. One of them was called "Weight Watching with The Word." It was a small beginning but until her passing she was never without classes to teach or ministry opportunities. She knew no one when she came to OKC and ended up knowing far more people than those who had lived their whole lives in the City. She was a "shepherdess" among the flocks of God's people. Her lifetime verse deeply imprinted upon her heart was "If you love Me, feed My sheep." By choice she never married preferring to be completely dedicated to her calling. The majority of her classes were interdenominational. She also spent 27 years helping John and Alma Daily with their church ministry called Spiritual Fellowship. It was a ministry dedicated to serving recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. She called herself a "Vo-Tech" Bible teacher bringing a practical understanding to the study of God's Word, worship, prayer and finding God's call on your life. She lived her life walking along side those who wanted to know God. She never claimed to be a good or nice person but rested her faith solely on the grace and mercy of her savior, Jesus Christ. Her classes were held in several churches and homes. She took her students on various ministry trips to Germany, Poland, Russia and 5 tours to Israel. Israel and the Jewish people were at the core of her faith. She honored the Jewish people as her spiritual parents. In the nineties, along with Dick and Jodie Gilkey, she helped build a Christian Retreat Center called "Petra" near Gunnison Colorado. In more than a decade it changed countless people's lives. Near the end of her life she felt led to start another teaching retreat center called "The Abbey of The Promised Land" at the St Joseph Discalced Carmelite monastery near Piedmont, OK. Like "Happy Am I" Christian theater in the beginning of her ministry in OKC, it lasted about 2 years and brought together a great many ministries in the surrounding area who are believing for a great move of God in the City andnation. She loved the simple things of life, sunrises and sunsets, the big sky, all creatures great and small especially horses, dogs, cats, and birds, reading a good book and the daily newspaper. She remained a mountain girl all her life and delighted in every green and growing plant or tree. Above all she found her greatest joy in the assembly of God's people, the Word of God and precious friendships with all who the Lord sent her way. Her classes ebbed and flowed with new people but she was most grateful for those who stayed connected and walked with her giving her grace and unconditional love for decades. You know who you are. Her family in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas were always cherished as part of the everyday heartbeat of her life. God's provision for her life was never ceasing and she was very thankful for those who the Lord sent to care for her at the end of her life. A special thanks to Dr. Brian Geister, Dr Jim Totoro, and Dr. Laura Miles and especially her sister, Jackie, who remained her constant companion of faith. Preceding her in death were her parents, John & Betty Jo Wicks, all her aunts and uncles and one cousin. Surviving her is her stepfather, Louis B. Miller, his wife Shirley of OKC; her sister, Jackie Barnes of the home; her brother David, his wife Peggy of Colby, KS; stepbrother, Louis Miller (Nancy); stepsisters, Linda Godwin (Kenny) and Cody Simpson (Phillip). Also surviving are her niece, Nichoel Akers (Tom); her 4 nephews, Michael Barnes, Rev. Brad Wicks (Denise), Ben Wicks, and Brian Wicks (Laurie) and two great nieces and 2 great nephews. Viewing will be available at the funeral home Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family available to greet friends during visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Our Lord's Community Church, 11400 North Portland, OKC, OK 73120 with Rev. Brock Bingaman and Rev. Brad Wicks officiating. Private burial will follow at Kansas Cemetery in Piedmont, OK.In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to Holy Ground Ministries International, 924 Switzerland Ave, Yukon, OK 73099 or Modern Day Ministry (designate Glenda Kryvor) 222 North Center, Grand Prairie, TX 75050.