Amanda Wheeler Hicks

Amanda Wheeler Hicks of Thomasville, Ga died peacefully on September 4, 2016 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph L. Hicks, Jr. of 41 years; her oldest child, Joseph Ronald (Ron) Hicks; and infant daughter, Sally Karen Hicks. She was born in Grady County on June 17, 1927 as the youngest child to Jessie Raynes (J.R.) Wheeler and Sallie Lou Hines Wheeler, who also preceded her in death. She was the last surviving child from this union. Her siblings were William Raynes Wheeler, Richard James Wheeler, Lula Beatrice Wheeler Tyson, Lilly Mae Wheeler Ponder, Charles Wheeler, Alvin George Wheeler and Irvin Baker Wheeler. She is survived by daughter Ginger Hicks Barton (Charles) of Thomasville; sons Irvin Gregory Hicks (Carolyn) of Tallahassee, Richard Neil Hicks of Thomasville and daughter-in-law Ellen Hicks of Tallahassee. Also surviving are three grandsons, Joseph Thomas Hicks of Thomasville, Charles Matthew Barton (Leslie) of Edmond, OK and Mark Edward Barton of Thomasville along with her three great-grandchildren: Gage Matthew Barton, Addison Grace Barton, and Ava Claire Barton of Edmond, OK as well as a host of beloved nephews and nieces and their children. Amanda graduated from Cairo High School and later attended Georgia College, Southwestern College and Georgia Women’s College, graduating with a degree in home economics. She taught in the public schools in Thomasville, Tifton and Ochlocknee, and also at Vashti School. She began substitute teaching at Central High School for several years after her retirement until age 81. She married Joseph L. Hicks Jr. on December 25, 1949 in Cairo, Ga. Her passion was sharing with others in the name of Jesus whatever she had, made or grew. When others faithfully commented on her giving, she would say “It’s just the Lord loving you through me.” From 1964-2013 she taught Sunday school classes at First Baptist Church. God laid on her a vision and a heart to reach out to others in her community and neighborhood through a ‘Mend & Sew’ WMU group, supported by her church, that led to many projects for nursing homes, displaced families, shut-ins and those in need. She was also a Hospice volunteer and Salvation Army organizer for Christmas baskets and stockings for more than 20 years. Her heart was always ready when the call came to serve and was always a teacher. She loved to watch people and nature flourish and blossom. In speaking of her own home-going to be with the Lord, she always said, “Don’t worry about me; just know that I will NOT be alone: my Jesus will be there too!” May all those who come behind her find her faithful. She is now standing on Holy Ground. Visitation will be at the First Baptist Church Chapel at 10am September 7, 2016 prior to the funeral service at 11 am and following by a private family burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to the ‘Mend & Sew’ WMU at First Baptist Church P.O. Box 2790 Thomasville, Ga 31799, Hospice of Southwest Georgia 114 Mimosa Dr. Thomasville, Ga 31792 or the Salvation Army P.O. Box 66 Thomasville, Ga 31799. So that others may benefit from her life.