George Thomas Hicks Jr.

While he will be greatly missed, we are comforted and confident that He is resting in the Arms of the Lord.

We Love You Dad, Terrell – Sid - Suzie

Dad wrote his own life history- we decided how appropriate to share his words/ thoughts on His journey thru Life.

The ground was frozen and covered with snow on February 8, 1929, when I, George Thomas Hicks, JR. was born to Helen Terrell Cobbs and George Thomas Hicks of Greenwood, MS. Having many relatives on both sides of the family, I received much love and attention. My father made the decision that I would be known as Tommy. The introduction to the church came six weeks of age and I have been in church ever since. My religious experience is much like that of Timothy in the scriptures. My Mother and Grandmother nurtured me in the Methodist tradition. My Grandmother, Bessie Collier Cobbs, organized a cottage prayer meeting of ladies who met once a week on Thursday afternoons for Bible study, prayer and singing the old hymns of the church. At times, there were as many as 30 ladies present and I was always present until I began school. I cut my teeth on a paperback Cokesbury hymnal.

I felt the call of the ministry while a Junior in High School and although I wanted to do otherwise, I never strayed from the call. After High School I pursued my Bachelor of Arts Degree from Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi majoring in Religion. College was interrupted by two years in the military. While serving in Germany, I was appointment to serve as Chaplain at Bad Herzfeld when the post Chaplain rotated back to the states and all other Chaplains were being sent to Korea. Returning to the states in May 1953, I accepted a student appointment in the North Mississippi Methodist Conference and was appointment to the West Circuit composed of five churches and finished my degree at Millsaps.

In August 1954, I married the Love of my Life, Mary Allen Paul of Meridian, Mississippi. I met her at church upon my return from military service. Mary Allen was teaching commercial subjects in high school. Our courtship was well chaperoned by students and parishioners, in fact, we could write a book on the subject.

TIMELINE OF MY LIFE

1952 – 1953 U.S. ARMY

1953 – 1955 West Circuit

1955 – 1956 Cockrum Charge, MS

May 1956 Birth of our First Daughter – Mary Helen Hicks

1956 – 1959 Russellville Circuit – Louisville Conference UMC, MS

March 1958 Birth of our Second Daughter – Suzan (Suzie) Vanessa Hicks

1959 – 1963 Mt. Pleasant Charge, North Mississippi Conference, MS

Mt. Pleasant, Barton, New Salem, Earl Grove and Rice Chapel

September 1961 Birth of our Son, Glenn Terrell Hicks

1963 – 1965 Sardis, MS

1965 – 1969 Friars Point, Coahoma, Jonestown, MS

1969 – 1970 Trinity, Corinth, MS

1970 – 1972 Grace UMC, Memphis, TN

1972 – 1976 Kerrville-Poplar Grove, Kerrville, TN

1976 – 1977 Poplar Grove, Drummonds, TN

1977 – 1985 Everett Memorial, Memphis, TN

1985 – 1988 Rebecca Memorial, Memphis, TN

1988 – 1989 St. Timothy, Memphis, TN

1989 - 1992 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN

As you can see – I served as a United Methodist Minister for 40 plus years in the North Mississippi and Memphis Annual Conferences. In June 1992, when I retired from the Methodist Conference-Mary Allen and I served over 30 years as a Volunteer for the Methodist Health Care System conducting Health Fairs in Arkansas – Mississippi – Tennessee.

Our Daughter, Suzie married in June 2000 – to a wonderful man, Sid Hurt – we loved him as our son. Mary Allen would tease them and say – if Suzie ever screws up – we will always keep you! The Best thing that ever happened to Suzie.

In July 2000, Mary Allen got the doctor’s report of cancer. Her life ended in August 2001, as we were about to celebrate fifty years of marriage.

In June 2021, we lost our first Daughter, Mary Helen.

On September 26, 2026 – I went home to be with the Lord.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. This is one way that Dad can keep giving and making a difference in the lives of a Child.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, US, on October 1, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Funeral Service at Memphis Funeral Home from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at Poplar Grove Cemetery, 158 Quito-Drummonds Rd, Drummonds, TN 38023, US.