Bernice D. Hicks

Affectionately known as “Mother, Mum, Mom, Granny, Nana, Auntie, Sister and Friend”, Bernice Dolores Parker was born to the late Willie Mae (Lane) Parker and Henry Parker in Millen, Georgia, on Wednesday, February 19, 1936, and on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at the Christiana Care Heart and Vascular Center in Newark, Delaware, the Lord saw fit to welcome home one of His best. As the eldest of 11, Bernice was the matriarch of her family and was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Shirley Jean Parker, Thelma Lee Gamble, Betty Jean Parker, Wilbur Parker, Willie James “Boo” Parker and great grandson, Cameron “Yump” Russ and grandson, “Master” Jordan Michel Calvert. After the passing of her mother, her mother’s sister, the late Aunt Cora Lee Duvall and her husband Adam assumed the role of guardian to all the siblings and raised them as their own with strong love, the word of God and guidance. Bernice received her early education in the Jenkins County School System in Millen, Georgia, in a one room Elementary School House on the grounds of St. Matthew Baptist Church. Bernice was a member of the 1st graduating class in 1956, at Burgess Landrum High School. She also attended the Madam C. J. Walker School of Beauty Culture in 1956, and graduated in 1957. Bernice later married the late Milton Hicks, Sr., of Pembroke, Georgia, and soon relocated from Georgia to Delaware, where she remained and raised her family. In her early years in Delaware, Bernice worked for many different employers in various positions and retired from the Methodist Manor House in Seaford, Delaware, after 25 years of dedicated service as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She continued working as a home health aide for many years until 2018, bringing joy and companionship to others who were in need. Bernice will forever be known as the surrogate mother in Bridgeville as she served as Home Child Care Provider for numerous families in the community helping raise children from birth up to junior high school. Many still call her “Mom Bernice” to this day. Her tiny house on First Street was the host to all her New York and New Jersey families, nieces and nephews every summer. There was always love in her house and all who entered felt it. Bernice most recently started attending the Bridgeville Senior Center where she made new friends and soon became a master at winning Bingo. In her free time, she enjoyed, her daily puzzles, watching the Food Network and Gospel Channels on television, cooking her big Sunday dinner and being treated to a hot seafood dinner. Bernice was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Bridgeville, Delaware. She loved the Lord and served on the Trustee Board, working closely with Deacon Ernest Anderson, Sister Deanna Williams and Sister Georgie McCrea and as Recording Secretary for many years. She was an original member of the Mount Olive Specials Gospel Choir. Every Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m., Bernice faithfully attended Bible Study and attended church every Sunday. No rain, snow or cold weather would keep her from being in the house of the Lord at every opportunity. Bernice was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her and she always had a word of encouragement for all she would encounter. She could light up the room with just her smile. Very often, she would say, “guess who stopped by to see me today” and you could always see the joy it brought to her just to know that she was remembered and that someone had taken the time to visit or call. Bernice leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters, Beverly Sanchez (Daniel), Constance F. Hicks and Cynthia M. Hicks-Calvert all of Bridgeville, DE; sons, Milton Hicks, Jr. (Trina) of Lewes, DE and Joey A. Hicks of Bridgeville, DE; sisters, Mae Frances Jones (Willie) of Dumont, NJ, Dora B. Parker (Bryan and Ronald Parker) of Bridgeville, DE and Cora Lee Mosley of Millen, GA; brother, George Eddy Parker (Maye) of Sylvania, GA; 12 grandchildren, Shenika Parker, Rahnice Parker, Dayshona Mathews, Yanelle Powell, William Parker, Miranda Parker, Leshaun and Leshaunda Allen, Afrika Whaley, Mickeya Brown-Linzie and Sharay and Sharonda Knight; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; very special adoptive son and daughter, Charles and Kathleen Fountain and their family of Bridgeville, DE; daughter, Gwen Wilson of Seaford, DE; special lifelong friend, Sister Lula Mae Martin; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Now we, her family and friends, look forward to the day when she will greet us at the doors of God’s temple and escort us down the aisle of eternity, to take our place at His feet.

Bernice D. Hicks

February 19, 1936 - January 26, 2019