Virginia Lee Hicks

Virginia Hicks was born on September 18, 1927 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She was one of five children in her family. Her siblings were Sissie, Jo Jo, Tippy, and Mel. Her nickname was "Toppy". She was raised in a two-room house with no running water or a bathroom, in Oklahoma City.

Although Virginia was raised during the Great Depression and had very few possessions, she always smiled when she talked about her childhood. She frequently talked about the hot, balmy Summer evenings in Oklahoma City, and how the neighbors on her street would sit on their front porch and play cards. She spoke of having to churn cream into butter when she was a child, and how she missed buying gum, because most of it went to the young men fighting World War II. She remained in Oklahoma City for 20 years.

Virginia moved to Gardena, California in 1947 and married Cardin Hicks. She and Cardin had three children, Donna, Nancy and Cliff. They remained in Gardena until 1969, when they moved to Bellflower, California, in February. Cardin passed away in 1983, and Virginia remained in the same house in Bellflower for over 40 years.

She has 7 grandchildren (Ryan, Kurt, Brendan, Cassandra, Aidan, Steven, and Jordan), and 4 great grandchildren (Garret, Isaiah, Kevin, and Andrianna). She was so proud of all of them.

Virginia was a homemaker for most of her life, but also worked part time for the Bellflower Unified School District for a few years. She was always there for her family and neighbors when they needed someone to watch their children.

Her favorite vacation spot was Oklahoma City. She and Cardin would load the family in their truck and camper, and drive on Route 66 all the way to Oklahoma to visit her cousins. She always needed to stop in Las Vegas on the way.

She not only loved to play bingo, but she also loved to go to Ronnie's house and play the slot machines at the River.

In her later years, Virginia frequently talked of missing, Cardin and her sisters, who had passed away prior to her. She also talked of missing her good friends, Ruth and Betty Jo.

During her final days at the nursing home, she reminisced about her entire extended family, and said she was so lucky to have everyone in her life.

Virginia passed away on June 21, 2009. She will be missed by all of her family and friends.

ODE TO GRAMMA

By Steven Howerton

Her skin was like paper.

Her hair was white.

In the heavens she'll dine tonight.

With coffee in one hand,

And a cig. in the other,

Just knowing she's gone,

Makes me shudder.

The sound of her laugh,

Would make me light up.

Just how her biscuits and gravy would wake me right up!

With just one smile,

She'd brighten up the room.

In a sense, we'll all, one day,

Be there soon.

Everyday that passes without her,

Forces me to sigh.

I guess this is ALL of our final Good-byes.

Rest in Peace, Gramma