OBITUARY

Mr. Sammy Hicks

September 4, 1954 – January 4, 2021

Tuscaloosa, Alabama-Sammy George Hicks was born September 4, 1954 to Eugene and Edith Hicks. He grew up in West Blocton, Alabama and lived many places across the south including Louisiana and Georgia. He returned to Alabama in 1985 and married his beloved wife of thirty-one years, Tammy Hicks, in 1989. They have one daughter, Jessica Hicks, who was the light of Sam’s life. Sam passed away after an extended illness related to congestive heart disease and kidney disease. Sam was at his home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama when he passed on Monday, January 4, 2021 at the age of 66. Although he had many health concerns, he continued to fight to stay strong for his family and loved ones as he always had the well-being of others first in his mind.

There are so many wonderful attributes to describe his powerful legacy. Most importantly, he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He put Him before all and even through his illness kept a servant’s heart. One of his greatest honors was to serve as a deacon at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. His next priority in life was his family. He expressed his love for his family constantly. He made “home” a safe place where you could feel comfortable being yourself. His love for his wife and his daughter was steadfast and strong always. Additionally, he loved his extended family with his whole heart and consistently shared “precious memories” of days gone by. Furthermore, he was passionate about his love for coaching and teaching history. He always said that through playing sports lives are molded. He coached middle and high school sports during coaching career, but being a college football fan was equally as important to Sam. Alabama football held a special place in his heart and made him so happy throughout his life. In fact, he would not only enjoy watching live games for the first time, but he would enjoy them a second, third, and fourth time because of his great love of the sport.

His family would like to express their gratitude for his physicians and medical personnel who cared for him the last month of his life. Specifically, his family would like to thank Dr. Keith Debell for his medical expertise, kindness, and compassion, that can not be matched. Dr. Debell went far beyond expectations to ensure that Sam felt safe and comforted during his sickness. The family would also like to thank special friends who have expressed their love and concern. Sam’s family is praising God today that the greatest Physician of all has healed his body completely and welcomed his spirit home.

Sam will continue to be celebrated by his wife, Tammy, and his daughter, Jessica. He is survived by wife Tammy Hicks, daughter Jessica Hicks, sister-in-law Debra Parham (Larry), nephew Jason Parham (Stacey), great-niece Julia Parham, niece Emily Ivins (Justin), great-nieces Ella James and Landyn Ivins, niece Jennifer Posada and family, niece Rachel Taylor (Scottie), great-nephews Luke and Caleb Taylor, nephew Joe Hicks, niece Jeanne Haupt (Mike), nephew Don Hicks, sister-in-law Norma Hicks, niece Patty Hockaday (Dee) and family, niece Tina Hicks, and niece Traci Wallace (Chris). He is preceded in death by his precious parents Eugene and Edith Hicks and brothers and sister David, Jack, Don and Margaret Hicks.

Honorary pallbearers are his physicians (Dr. Keith Debell, Dr. Dirk L. Berry, Dr. Dinesh Chandra, and Dr. George P. Hemstreet), DCH nurses and staff that cared for him, former players, coaching peers, and Ridgecrest Baptist Church members.

Although the service will be limited to immediate family due to COVID restrictions, the family covets your prayers at this time. They would also like for you to share your “precious memories” of him in the comments below. Additionally, the service will be live-streamed due to the circumstances. Please check social media for more information.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ridgecrest Baptist Church or an organization that supports research on heart disease, kidney disease, and/or diabetes.

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Mr. Sammy Hicks

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Al Daniel

January 13, 2021

Coach Hicks was my first coach on basketball thanks for the memory’s love you coach rest up

Steve and brenda Kornegay

January 10, 2021

Sam you will be missed at Ridgecrest... your smile and kindness.. will be missed on Tuesday’s with the dominoes players... Steve loved beginning partners in dominos with you!!! Loved your family also... sad for y’all but happy he is with Jesus!!! Praying for y’all!! Love and prayers from the Kornegay’s

Stan Moss

January 9, 2021

God has received a great man in Sam Hicks. I enjoyed my time with him and saw him in action influencing the lives of so many students he came in contact with. He was a true friend and a excellent coach. I know he will be fondly remembered by his former players and fellow coaches. May god give Tammy and Jessica peace during this difficult time.

Tina Hicks

January 9, 2021

My Uncle Sam was a one of a kind. He loved God and he lived his family. He had a lot of heartache in his years. He lost his dad at a very young age, he later lost his mother and all of his siblings. But he stayed strong through all the lose he experienced and he never gave up his faith in God. When ever we all got together as a family he always loved to talk about old memories of the family and we always sat and listened to his stories. He is the last if the siblings and he will surely be missed. I will miss you always Uncle Sam and will love you forever.

Traci Wallace

January 9, 2021

Uncle Sam
You were always a favorite to me. I just never spent the time with you that I should have. You were a man of many stories. You had a laugh that would lighten anybodies load and would bring a smile to thier face if not careful 😊. I will never forget our trip to Louisiana. Chris was going to drive and you was going to be Chris's co pilot. Tina and I told Chris ( now Uncle Sam want talk much at all). Boy was we wrong. We got back to Tuscaloosa and Chris looked at Tina and I and said (His words--- He never shut up!!🤣🤣🤣). Our pictionary game days were priceless I will never forget those times spent together. That was great and awesome family time. I pray as you look down on us and protect us that we will make you proud to have been a Husband, Father and Uncle. I love you BIG Uncle Sam.

Bobbie Tarver

January 9, 2021

Sorry

Lynn Harris

January 8, 2021

Dear Tammy and Jessica,
I was so sorry to hear about Sam’s passing. I know your hearts are broken. Praying for both of you. Love, Lynn Harris

Daniel Payne

January 8, 2021

As athletes grow older, they realize that their coaches taught them more about life than they did the game. You catch yourself in certain situations and once you get out of it, you are reminded of something a coach said way back when, and it was all so confusing then, but made so much sense now. That is what Coach Hicks was to me. I looked up to him. He wasn't my position coach, but he spent a lot of time with me. Mostly telling me not to give up, keep trying, and no matter what I did wrong, squash it and move to the next play. The ol side by side squeeze hug was his go to move with me. He genuinely loved us and we knew it. Yes, he would get on us, but at the end of the day when the dust settled, we never doubted that Coach Sam Hicks loved us. Just as much as we loved him. This leaves a void in my life and I will forever remember him. He helped mold me into the person I am today. To some that may not be much, but in Coach's eyes, he was proud of me and that's all I needed to know. Rest easy Coach and I can't wait to see you again one fine day. They say heroes never die... .this proves that to be wrong.

Sammy George

January 8, 2021

I’m saddened by the news of Sam’s passing. Growing up near the Hicks family in West Blocton I know first hand what Sam meant to them. I’m sure they are having a big family reunion in heaven.
My wife Shelia and I send up our prayers for Sam’s family.

Kate McGee

January 7, 2021

Coach Hicks was such a good and kind man. Before he became my teacher I knew him and Ms. Tammy as my parents friends. We would go over to their house some go watch football. Then when I moved to Centreville I had him as my history teacher in 8th grade. Whenever I got done with my work or tests he would let me go to the library. His jeopardy games before tests were fun too. He will be missed. My condolences go to Ms. Tammy and Jessica.

FROM THE FAMILY