Mrs. Verga Ruth (Wright) Hicks

The Lord smiled on June 21, 1939 as another baby girl was born to Motis and Zelma Mitchell-Wright. They named her Verga Ruth, their youngest of six children. God sent the angels to bring Verga to Heaven on Easter Sunday April 17, 2022 in Alexander City, Alabama. The day before her passing, Verga’s family was thankful to find a memoir entitled “The Life of Verga Hicks” that she wrote back in 2018. We are happy to share her life story and celebrate the impact that she had on each of us. 

Verga’s Father was a carpenter and a farmer. Her mother, Zelma, instilled strong Christian values into Verga and taught her to always trust God and pray. Verga accepted Christ at an early age and joined Good Grove Baptist Church. Her mother passed away when Verga was only 12 years of age, but she was blessed to have a host of other family members to care for her. Verga had five siblings, Frank, Wayne, Lesley, Marion and Alene. They were raised in a house full of love, despite harsh racism and segregation within the town. Verga attended a two-room school house on Fishpond Road from first to sixth grade. From seventh to twelfth grade, Verga and her siblings took the bus to Cottage Grove School until the school was burned down by white supremacists. She graduated from J.D. Thompson High School in 1956.  

Following graduation, Verga moved to Akron, Ohio for a short period of time. She returned to Alabama and enrolled in Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama. She then met the man who would soon become her husband, James. In 1959 Verga married the love of her life, James Hicks, who preceded her in death. The two shared fifty six years of marital bliss and held each other in high regard. 

Verga was employed with Russell Corporation as a needleworker. She also led a Campfire Girls Troop. Her hobbies included ceramics, cooking, gardening, painting and spending quality time with family and friends. She joined Seleeta Baptist Church where she actively served on several ministries to include the Deaconess Board, Sunday School teacher, Choir, Matron ministry, Usher board, Program ministry and Kitchen ministry.  She served as chairperson for many of these ministries.

 Verga leaves to cherish her memory, four daughters; Debra (James) Horton, Zelma (David) Leonard,  Janice Daniel and Candace (Leon) Milliner. She has four grandchildren, Shaquetta Leonard Waver, Jamez Milliner, Deon Milliner and Jazmine Daniel, three bonus grandchildren Reno Horton, Lakeshia and Octavious Spencer, three great grandchildren, Carnaeja, Tykeuntai and Zykeuntai Waver, a dear Sister, Alene Mitchell, a brother Clinton Jackson, Sister-in-law Ellen Wright, numerous loving nephews and nieces, and a host of cousins, relatives and friends. 

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