Charlotte Hicks Kanning

Charlotte Hicks Kanning died on December 25, 2015, at the age of 85 in Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on February 22, 1930, in Thomasville, Georgia. A daughter of the late George Franklin Hicks, Jr. and Kate Caldwell Hicks, she was a sixth generation descendant of one of Thomas County’s founding families and a lifelong resident of Thomasville. Her grandparents were John Richard and Minnie Hearn Caldwell of Thomasville and George Franklin and Julia Augusta Reynolds Hicks of Metcalfe.
A 1948 graduate of Thomasville High School, Charlotte began working at Hicks Clothing Company, the business her father founded in 1936, in her early teens. She went on to maintain a business partnership with her late brother, John Caldwell Hicks, and her son and daughter for many years. She was actively engaged in managing the company all of her life. Charlotte, or Lot-Car, as her grandchildren called her, was a talented business woman whose dedication, style, and customer service helped Hicks Clothing earn the distinction of being the oldest continually operating business on Broad Street.
A lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, she was a prominent figure in downtown Thomasville’s business district and founded Downtown Thomasville's Merchants Association. She was named Woman of the Year, was a Friend of the Library, and coined the phrase, "Thomasville, Worth the Trip". Charlotte adored all things bright and beautiful and was a true Renaissance woman. She could hem a skirt, tally tax, and perform a jig all at the same time.
A connoisseur of southern food and road trips, Charlotte loved to eat, drink, and be merry. Customers and friends could count on Charlotte, a true Georgia Tech fan, for her witty political humor, kindness, and unconditional love - whether they had known her for 10 minutes or 10 years. A Thomasville legend and institution, Charlotte was a student of the old school; she was fond of saying, "what every woman wants is a well dressed man."
Charlotte loved her family and was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children, son, Tim Drew and daughter, Kate Kanning Wilder (Bobby); her grandchildren Channing Drew, Hannah Beshears, Steven Weisenborn, Jackson Weisenborn, and Renny Wilder; her brother George Franklin Hicks III; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and the devoted staff of Hicks Clothing. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Hungate, sisters Katherine Hicks Blackson and Theresa Hicks West, and her brother John Caldwell Hicks.
Visitation will be held at Allen and Allen Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church in Thomasville on Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at 2pm. Officiating minister A. Bob Dixon. Interment will be at the Hicks Cemetery, located on the corner of Hicks Road and New Hope Road, near Metcalfe, Georgia.
Pallbearers will be Trent Blackson, Jay Smith, Bill Caldwell, Philip Faulk, Larry May and Andrew Poulos. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank G. Connell, George Franklin Hicks III, and J. Richard Caldwell, Jr. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to First United Methodist Church and Thomasville Landmarks.