Roll Call Tribute

Jane E. (Gorman) Hicks Acker 

June 11, 1944 - September 24, 2023 

Jane Ellen Gorman Acker, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend died peacefully following a brief illness surrounded by her family on September 24, 2023.

Jane Ellen was born June 11, 1944, in Waxahachie, Texas to William Raymond Gorman and Frances Baumgartner Gorman. Jane was educated at Italy public schools, received a Bachelor of Arts at Texas Woman’s University in 1966, a Master of Education from Texas A&M University in 1977, and a Master of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University in 1986. Jane developed a love of reading and of books as a child. Her love for reading influenced her career choice to become a librarian, and that childhood wish was fulfilled as Jane retired from Ennis ISD having worked for many years as a school librarian. Even after her retirement, Jane continued to support libraries through her volunteer work and charitable contributions. Her headstone in fact bears the inscription she selected, “Librarian has checked out and is reclassified.”

In addition to her love for libraries and books, Jane enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, and gardening. She especially enjoyed sharing these items that she made with others. She made beautiful quilts too numerous to count as gifts to celebrate the birth of babies. In later years, understanding from her own experience that patients who undergo infusion therapy can feel chilled, she crocheted shawls that she donated to infusion centers for use by patients to be warmed and comforted during their therapy.

Jane was an active member of First Christian Church in Waxahachie. Jane was also a longtime member of the Eastern Star and served in various leadership capacities in that organization as well.

While Jane had many interests and loves, she loved her family the most. Jane is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Martha Rae Tarrant and Ron Tarrant. She is also survived by her children and their families, daughter Patricia Zuercher and her husband, David Zuercher; son John Hicks and his wife, Kayla Hicks; and her grandchildren, Riley William Hicks, Brady William Hicks, and Rachel Anne Zuercher. Jane is also survived by her nephew, William Tarrant and his wife, Ruthe Tarrant and their daughters, Lucy Rae and Noa Rae Tarrant. Jane is also survived by a large circle of friends that she loved like family as well.

In the care of Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home, Waxahachie, Texas.