Tuscaloosa, Alabama-Sammy George Hicks was born September 4, 1954 to Eugene and Edith Hicks. He grew up in West Blocton, Alabama and lived many places across the south including Louisiana and Georgia. He returned to Alabama in 1985 and married his beloved wife of thirty-one years, Tammy Hicks, in 1989. They have one daughter, Jessica Hicks, who was the light of Sam’s life. Sam passed away after an extended illness related to congestive heart disease and kidney disease. Sam was at his home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama when he passed on Monday, January 4, 2021 at the age of 66. Although he had many health concerns, he continued to fight to stay strong for his family and loved ones as he always had the well-being of others first in his mind.
There are so many wonderful attributes to describe his powerful legacy. Most importantly, he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He put Him before all and even through his illness kept a servant’s heart. One of his greatest honors was to serve as a deacon at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. His next priority in life was his family. He expressed his love for his family constantly. He made “home” a safe place where you could feel comfortable being yourself. His love for his wife and his daughter was steadfast and strong always. Additionally, he loved his extended family with his whole heart and consistently shared “precious memories” of days gone by. Furthermore, he was passionate about his love for coaching and teaching history. He always said that through playing sports lives are molded. He coached middle and high school sports during coaching career, but being a college football fan was equally as important to Sam. Alabama football held a special place in his heart and made him so happy throughout his life. In fact, he would not only enjoy watching live games for the first time, but he would enjoy them a second, third, and fourth time because of his great love of the sport.
His family would like to express their gratitude for his physicians and medical personnel who cared for him the last month of his life. Specifically, his family would like to thank Dr. Keith Debell for his medical expertise, kindness, and compassion, that can not be matched. Dr. Debell went far beyond expectations to ensure that Sam felt safe and comforted during his sickness. The family would also like to thank special friends who have expressed their love and concern. Sam’s family is praising God today that the greatest Physician of all has healed his body completely and welcomed his spirit home.
Sam will continue to be celebrated by his wife, Tammy, and his daughter, Jessica. He is survived by wife Tammy Hicks, daughter Jessica Hicks, sister-in-law Debra Parham (Larry), nephew Jason Parham (Stacey), great-niece Julia Parham, niece Emily Ivins (Justin), great-nieces Ella James and Landyn Ivins, niece Jennifer Posada and family, niece Rachel Taylor (Scottie), great-nephews Luke and Caleb Taylor, nephew Joe Hicks, niece Jeanne Haupt (Mike), nephew Don Hicks, sister-in-law Norma Hicks, niece Patty Hockaday (Dee) and family, niece Tina Hicks, and niece Traci Wallace (Chris). He is preceded in death by his precious parents Eugene and Edith Hicks and brothers and sister David, Jack, Don and Margaret Hicks.
Honorary pallbearers are his physicians (Dr. Keith Debell, Dr. Dirk L. Berry, Dr. Dinesh Chandra, and Dr. George P. Hemstreet), DCH nurses and staff that cared for him, former players, coaching peers, and Ridgecrest Baptist Church members.
Although the service will be limited to immediate family due to COVID restrictions, the family covets your prayers at this time. They would also like for you to share your “precious memories” of him in the comments below. Additionally, the service will be live-streamed due to the circumstances. Please check social media for more information.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ridgecrest Baptist Church or an organization that supports research on heart disease, kidney disease, and/or diabetes.
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