COLUMBUS – John Edward Hicks, 84, of Columbus passed away Friday afternoon, July 16, 2021 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Forest City.Born in Ellerbe, NC, he was the son of the late Robert Lee Hicks, Sr. and Mildred Williams Hicks. John was a 1955 graduate of Hamlet High School and was class president. Graduate of Kings Business College in Charlotte. John served his country in the U.S. Army. John was married to Velna Motley Hicks who passed away in 2003. John and Velna resided in Charlotte and retired to the North Carolina Foothills of Polk County where they resided since 1996.John retired as Director of Safety with Moss Trucking. John volunteered and built Habitat for Humanity Houses and ran the Print Shop at St. Luke's Hospital, team member that renovated St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, volunteered for Thermal Belt Outreach, Blue Ridge Barbeque Festival, installed Medic Alerts for Polk County.In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Thelma Hicks Spivey (Burl), Thomas Atlas Hicks (Lola), Robert Lee Hicks, Jr. (Mary), Beatrice Hicks Smith Coleman (Clyde, Tom), Martha Hicks Smith (Vince), Edgar Earl Hicks, Mildred Hicks Allen Starcher (L.D., Aubrey), Ellis Burdette Hicks Sr. (Gertrude), Gene William Hicks, Glen Austin Hicks and Daniel Kenneth Hicks, Sr. (Martha).Surviving is his nephew and caregiver, Daniel Kenneth Hicks, Jr., Godchild, Mary Evelyn Allen, sister-in-law, Lenna McEwen Hicks McLean and his faithful companions, Marvel and Ralphie. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends.Visitation will be held at McFarland Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, NC with Monsignor Patrick J. Winslow officiating.Inurnment will take place at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbus, NC following the service with Military Honors conducted by Polk County Veteran Memorial Honor Guard.Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043 or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 180 Laurel Avenue, Tryon, NC 28782.
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