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.
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.
Anonymous says
I enjoyed working with you for many years at Wadewitz. Rest in peace my friend.
Kathy Bovitz
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
Michelle Cole-Roberts says
So sorry for your lost . Sweetie was a close friend of my mom. Praying for you and your families 🙏🏾.
Ella. Richardson says
I met Annie when she would come to visit her sister Rebecca a very nice personSo sorry for your loss
Joanne Powell says
My condolences and prayers to Annie Hicks 🙏 family and all those who love her 🙏 RIP.
Cynthia Baugh says
Sending love and prayers to my family. Special thoughts from Johnnie Mae, Trena and Kenny.
Anonymous says
Sending condolences to the family of Annie . Sorry for your loss.
Stacey Moore says
Sorry for your loss 🙏🏾🙏🏾
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.
Liz Hicks says
Mrs Hicks was a very kind and loving person. She always greeted me with a smile. She will be dearly missed .
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.
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 🙏🏾🙏🏾☀️☀️🙏🏾
Elvira Bumpus says
Send my sincere condolence to the Hicks family. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Cherri Chambliss says
Condolences & prayers to the family.
Daris J Hodges says
My sincerest condolences to the family. May God strengthen you all.
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!
Newfew Derrick Hicks says
Auntie, thank you for believing in me & your encouraging words. Love you Auntie ♥️
Tammi J McCright says
Praying for the family.
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.
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. 🙏🏾