Grace Tucker Hicks

Grace Tucker Hicks, a 50-year veteran of the Columbia Area real estate community, passed away on October 28, 2015, after a brief illness. She was born in Richmond, VA, on Sept 19, 1925 to Ashby and Madie Tucker, and moved to Charleston, SC in 1931 with her family during the relocation of the American Tobacco Company. She was educated in Charleston County Schools and was graduated from the Business College at Bob Jones University in Cleveland, TN, pledging Alpha Gamma Tau. In 1947, she married Jack Haigler Hicks, also of Charleston, and they were blessed with three children. After they moved to Columbia in the mid-1960s, Grace became a pioneer in real estate, ultimately devoting 50 years of professional service to her clients and community. Grace became known as ‘The Lake Pro’ specializing in residential properties along the shores of Lake Murray. Her dedication extended into the community where Grace served on numerous boards and committees including Lexington County School District Five Educational Foundation Board, the Columbia Board of Realtors (Education and Community Service Committees), and the Educational Foundation for Columbia College. She also served her church faithfully in many leadership capacities at Riverland Hills Baptist Church (33 years) and First Baptist of Irmo (13 years).

Grace received numerous awards throughout her long career: Top Company Producer 1988 and 1989, and Top Ten Company Sales and Listing Associate for 26 consecutive years at Century 21-Bob Capes Realtors. In 1994, 1996, and 1997, she was listed in Real Estate Trends, Inc., one of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions. Mrs. Hicks was also presented the Sales and Marketing Award from the Columbia Board of Realtors in 1998. She is a Lifetime Member of the Columbia Board of Realtors’ Million Dollar Club. In 2000, she was given the Columbia Association of Realtors (GCAR) Meritorious Award for her outstanding achievements. Having earned the designations of Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), she qualified 23 consecutive years for the Association’s Circle of Excellence. But most noteworthy, she was the first female Million Dollar Producer in the residential real estate industry in the State of South Carolina in 1975. Until recently, she remained actively involved in her passion with Coldwell Banker - United Realtors in Irmo, SC. In 2005, Mrs. Hicks was very humbled and grateful to receive the Order of the Silver Crescent by the Governor of South Carolina in recognition of her continuous, outstanding volunteer service to the state and community. Above all, her faithfulness to God never wavered and Grace remained dedicated to her family, her church, her friends, her community, and her business associates. All have been blessed by her exemplary influence.

She is survived by her children Jack Haigler Hicks, Jr. (Carole) of Pauline, SC; Cynthia A. Hicks of Lake Murray, SC; Tam Y. Hicks of Columbia, SC; Grandchildren Jack H. Hicks, III (Melissa) of Cordesville, SC, and Kelly Elizabeth Hicks of Asheville, NC; and a Great-Grandchild, Jack Haigler Hicks, IV. She was predeceased in death by her “sweetheart” Jack Haigler Hicks, Sr., with whom she shared 65 years of marriage. She will be dearly missed by all her friends, her real estate colleagues, and her family members. In keeping with her love and devotion to her community, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Flood Fund, District 5 Foundation, Post Office Box 129, Ballentine, South Carolina 29002, or www.district5foundation.org.