Rosalie

Hickerson

Rosalie Jones Hickerson (1940-2026)

Rosalie Jones Hickerson of Artesia, NM, beloved mother to four children, fourteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, passed away November 7, 2026.

Rosalie was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 7, 1940, to Brooks and Mildred Muterspaugh where she lived until early high school. The family moved to Tucson, Arizona for a better climate. During high school, Rosalie met Larry Jones through her brother Milo. They were married on July 21, 1958. Rosalie and Larry moved to Artesia in 1966 where they raised four children - Kenneth Charles Jones, Jennifer Lynn Irby, Janet Renee Mendoza and Daniel Arthur Jones.

Following Larry's untimely passing in 1992, Rosalie married Jimmy Dean Hickerson on June 17, 2001. Jim was a steadfast caregiver during Rosalie's dementia illness.

Rosalie had a profound effect on her children and grandchildren. Rosalie's faith in Christ was the foundation of her life, and she lovingly instilled those same values in her children, making sure they were raised in the church and grounded in the love of God. Rosalie was a member of First Baptist Church in Artesia for more than 50 years. She was also a fabulous cook and baker, her family looked forward to her baking a traditional Slovenian pastry called Potica for Christmas every year that was passed down for many generations. She had a love for all animals, but especially for her horses Blady and Bridget, and was an avid rider throughout her life. God blessed her with an unworldly amount of common sense and a deep religious conviction. These God-given elements were essential while developing and managing the family's oil and gas business.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Larry. She leaves behind her husband, Jimmy Dean Hickerson; brothers, Milo & wife, Helen Muterspaugh of Poulsbo, Washington and Brooks Jr.& wife, Barbara Muterspaugh of Tucson, Arizona; her children Kenneth & wife, Nancy Jones, Jennifer & husband, Wade Irby, Janet Mendoza, and Daniel & wife, Elise Jones; grandchildren, Rachel, Madison, Cole, Brandon, Allyson, Lesley, Rebecca, Noah, Lindsey, Sydney, Amanda, Mia, Lena and Constantine and great-grandchildren James, Nora, Jack, MJ, Bodhi, Brooks, Alexander, Emma, Theodore, Jerome, Charlie and Collin.

Rosalie's family gives thanks to God for the life Rosalie modeled. A service celebrating her life will be held at First Baptist Church in Artesia on December 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Gifts in Rosalie's memory may be made to the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home in Portales, NM.