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Annie "Sweetie" Laura Hicks

May 13, 1950 – Sep 9, 2025

Service Details

Homegoing services will be celebrated on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1123 Center Street, with Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby officiating. Visitation will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., and again at St. Paul MBC on Friday from 10:00–10:45 a.m. Interment will take place at Graceland Cemetery.

Annie Laura Hicks, affectionately known as “Sweetie,” age 75, passed away peacefully in her home on September 9, 2025, with her devoted daughters by her side.

She was born in Meridian, Mississippi, on May 13, 1950, to the late Johnny and Maggie (née Chambliss) Buckley. She was the second youngest of six children. From a very young age, she was nicknamed “Sweetie,” a name that became undeniably fitting over the course of her life. She always helped others in any way she could and possessed a warm, caring, and nurturing spirit. She later relocated to Racine, Wisconsin, and married Walter Ray Hicks. She was blessed with two daughters, Yolanda “Landa” and Pamela.

Annie was firmly rooted in her faith, having accepted Christ at a young age at Fellowship Baptist Church in Enterprise, Mississippi. She was a longtime, faithful member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the usher board for many years. She was a firm believer in lifelong learning. Annie graduated as salutatorian from Central High School in Enterprise in 1968. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, earning a bachelor’s degree in education, and later obtained her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. Her career in education spanned more than 32 years, most of which were spent teaching first grade at Wadewitz Elementary School. She made a tremendous impact as a teacher and was instrumental in shaping and inspiring the futures of many students. She retired from the Racine Unified School District in 2006.

Annie inherited a love for bowling from her husband, Ray, and they enjoyed competing together in weekly leagues and tournaments. After Ray’s passing, she continued to stay active in the teachers’ bowling league and volleyball team. Civic-minded and dedicated to her community, Annie volunteered at local food banks through Racine Harvest Outreach, tutored at Julian Thomas School, and served as Program Coordinator for the GEAR UP program at the George Bray Community Center. She was a lifetime member of the NAACP and actively participated in Get Out the Vote campaigns, canvassing during each election cycle. Annie loved to travel with her family and friends, exploring destinations across the country and internationally, including the Bahamas, Mexico, and St. Thomas. In her free time, she enjoyed playing Sudoku, growing tomato plants, and occasionally trying her luck at the slot machines. Of all the roles she held, the one she treasured most was “Grammy” or “Nana.” She cherished spending time with her three “grandboys” and embodied everything a grandmother’s love should be. Whether attending their concerts, field trips, sporting events, or getting down on the floor to play, she never missed a beat in their lives.

Her passing leaves an enormous hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Annie was patient, kind, giving, and a peacemaker with a compassionate heart and a selfless dedication to her family. A breast cancer survivor and true warrior, her legacy of love, service, and faith will live on in the many lives she touched.

Surviving are her daughters, Yolanda (Amir) Kader of Chicago, Illinois, and Pamela (Delroy) Perrin of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; her adored grandchildren, Xavier Kader, Cullen Kader, Braylen Perrin, Jada Perrin, and Delroy Perrin, Jr.; her sister, Sylvia Diane Dawkins of Columbia, South Carolina; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Buckley, Lucy Curtis, and Beverly Hicks; godsons, Andrae Harrell and Tremaine Young; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. In addition to her parents, Annie (“Sweetie”) was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter Ray Hicks; brothers, Johnny, Samuel, and George Buckley; sister, Rebecca Bester; brothers-in-law, Robert (Lula) Hicks, Curtis (Barbara) Hicks, Thomas Hicks, and Willie Curtis; sisters-in-law, Opaline (Amos) Smith and Rebecca (Leonard) Johnson; and, just this year, by her special cousin and friend, Mollie Jones.

 

Guestbook Entries

  1. Nita Cannon says

    Rest in peace. You will always be in our hearts. Thank you for always showing such love and kindness to The Cannon family. My prayers to Landa and Pam and The Hicks family.

  3. Demetrius Powell says

    So sorry for your loss of your family member I Hope that God Give you the strength to endure this difficult time my she RSP

  4. Michelle Cole-Roberts says

    So sorry for your lost . Sweetie was a close friend of my mom. Praying for you and your families 🙏🏾.

  5. Ella. Richardson says

    I met Annie when she would come to visit her sister Rebecca a very nice personSo sorry for your loss

  10. Adrienne. M. says

    I’m praying that God will send comfort and love in your saddest moments. Sweetie’s smile, warm heart and loving spirit will be remembered and cherished most. God bless you all.

  11. Liz Hicks says

    Mrs Hicks was a very kind and loving person. She always greeted me with a smile. She will be dearly missed .

  12. Maria (Shanta) Buckley says

    May you rest in peace, Auntie. Your loving spirit will continue to inspire us. Your name, Aunt SWEETIE, was a perfect reflection of your kind heart. Your memory will live on, and we’ll find strength in the love you shared. I’m sending love and prayers to my cousins during this difficult time.

  13. Ann Kirkwood and Family says

    Sending heartfelt prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Annie 🙏🏾May God give peace and comfort during this time of sorrow 🙏🏾🙏🏾☀️☀️🙏🏾

  17. Deb Szuhai says

    Annie, you were just THE BEST, MOST CARING first grade teacher at Wadewitz. You were always so special to me. And such a great PLEASURE to work with. ANNIE, YOU WERE THE BEST! R.I.P. beautiful Annie!

  20. Rachel Beutler says

    Pam and Yolanda, I feel truly blessed to have had the chance to care for your mom. Discovering that she was my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Hicks, made that time even more special to me. It was hard to call her “Annie” after learning this, but it felt like such a gift to share that connection with her right before my shift ended. It was also a blessing to witness the love and devotion shown to your mother. I’m so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family—I’m so grateful that our paths crossed again after all these years.

  21. Yvette Stewart says

    Pam, my deepest condolences to you and your family. Be blessed in the sweet memories of your Mom as those live on. Annie had such a sweet spirit and a very kind person. She will be missed by many. 🙏🏾

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Testimonials

Thank you for an exceptional service for our mother – Juan Munoz

My siblings and I recently had the unfortunate experience of having to plan a funeral for our beloved mother – Juana Munoz. During this difficult time, we were fortunate enough to come across a funeral home that truly went above and beyond what was expected. Their attention to detail and dedication to ensuring our comfort and safety throughout the entire process was truly remarkable.

From the moment we stepped foot into the funeral home, we were greeted with warmth and compassion. The staff members, but specifically Mark was incredibly understanding and empathetic, making us feel at ease during such a challenging time. Mark took the time to listen to our needs and wishes, and his guidance and support were invaluable.

One aspect that truly stood out was Mark’s meticulous attention to detail. He paid close attention to every aspect of the funeral arrangements, ensuring that nothing was overlooked. From the floral arrangements to the music selection, every detail was carefully considered and executed flawlessly. Mark even noticed that the temperature in the room was getting warm and promptly adjusted it to ensure our comfort.

What impressed me the most was their commitment to our safety. Mark and his team took every precaution to ensure that our family and guests were protected throughout the entire process. From the funeral home to the cemetery, Mark made sure that all safety measures were in place, including providing hand sanitizers, and even arranging for additional staff members to assist with crowd control.

Furthermore, Mark’s professionalism and organization was evident in every aspect of the funeral service. He coordinated seamlessly with the cemetery staff, ensuring a smooth transition from the funeral home to the final resting place. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence truly made a difference in our overall experience.

In addition to their exceptional service, the funeral home also provided us with resources and support beyond the funeral itself. They offered grief counseling services and connected us with local support groups, which proved to be invaluable during our grieving process.

Overall, we cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Mark and broader Draeger Langendorf team. Their attention to detail, commitment to our safety, and genuine compassion made a difficult time a little more bearable. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of funeral arrangements, as they truly go above and beyond to ensure that every detail is taken care of and that families are supported throughout the entire process.

– Epifanio and The Munoz Family

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