Leon "Sonny" Wicks

Leon “Sonny” Wicks was born November 9, 1954 in Byhalia, Mississippi to the late Samuel Lee Wicks and Earline Hardaway Wicks. He was the third of their ten children. Sonny accepted Christ at an early age and completed his formal education in Memphis, TN. In the early 1970’s he left his large extended family in Memphis and Mississippi and settled in southern California.

Sonny was a bonafide “California Swinger” until 1977 when he rededicated his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. He married his “good thing” Dovey Lauren Adams in 1978 and they welcomed five children to their union. Sonny led his family to the fellowship of Crenshaw Christian Center where they learned to “walk by faith and not by sight”. These principles laid the sure foundation that guided his life and are the legacy of a man whose desire was that men, women, boys and girls would come to know and understand the benefits of serving the Living God.

To Sonny’s large Postal family, and his Union brothers and sisters of American Postal Workers Union, California Area Local #4635, he took great pride in his service to you and the 25 years of friendships established along the way.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Dovey Lauren; four daughters, Vonteise Nicole, Rynd Elaine, Zadrian Leah, Desarai Lauren; his one and only son, Jonathan Maurice (Jake); one son-in-law, Numayr; two sisters, Mrs. Jacqueline Wicks-Callahan of Memphis, TN, Ms. Joyce Wicks-Robinson of Mayfield, KY; one brother, Lorenzo Wicks of Arcata, CA; seven grandsons, Brandon, Markyse, RaeQuan, Derryl, O’Ryan, Jovan Jr., Jordan; four granddaughters, Zalaysia, Zehrin, Mekhi, Jozelyn; and a great host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His siblings, Edward, Jean, Samuel “June”, Beulah, Randy and Janice all preceded him in death.

Our Tributes to Our Grandpa

To friends he was Leon Wicks, to family he was Sonny. To me, he was the coolest grandpa any person could ask for! My dad wasn’t always around, but I knew if I ever needed some advice from a man, he would be there. My grandpa always wanted his children and grandchildren to go down the right road and to have a good relationship with the Lord. My grandpa was one of the best people in my life. He showed me how to be a man, how to conduct myself in public, and he taught me to respect the ones who respected you also. My grandpa showed me how to dress and get fresh, because nobody was more fly than him when it came to gettin’ dressed! Grandpa, I love you and you will always be in my heart. I will never forget you or disrespect your name. Your Eldest Grandson, Brandon

My grandpa was the only father figure I had for most of my life. He would preach to me about the same subject for hours just to get his point across, but if he didn’t get on my back about school and other stuff, I don’t know where I would be today. Sonny Wicks is one of the very few wise men that I was blessed with in my life and I’m so happy I had a chance to grow up around this man. Grandpa, I love you and you will always be missed. ~Markyse

I will miss my grandpa. I would want him to know that I love him very much and he will NEVER be forgotten. ~RaeQuan

I have many great memories of my grandpa. One fond memory is when my grandpa taught me how to ride a bike. Another favorite memory of my grandpa is Halloween of 2004 when he took me to the Fall Festival at school. My grandpa made me laugh instead of crying when I was afraid of the monsters! I really loved his laugh. ~Zalaysia

My favorite memory is when we visited Venice Beach with my grandparents this past summer. It was fun to spend time with my grandpa since we live all the way in Texas. ~Mekhi

My favorite memory of my grandpa is our trip to Venice Beach. It was special for me to spend the day with him, since we don’t live close by. ~O’Ryan

The fondest memory I have of my grandpa is our trip to Las Vegas last year. We had the best time swimming together in the pool! ~Zehrin

My grandpa used to take care of me. I liked the time we had a picnic at the beach with my grandma and grandpa, because we had fun. ~Derryl

I wish I could have gone to the zoo with my grandpa, because there were animals and I think he would have liked the animals. ~Jovan Jr.

I like the cars grandpa bought for me. ~Jordan