Virginia M. Hicks

Virginia Mae Hicks
March 17, 1955 – December 28, 2025

Virginia Mae Hicks, affectionately known as “Babe”, was born on March 17, 1955, in the comfort of her family home in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the Dunbar community. She was the beloved daughter of the late Willie D. Hicks and Florene Hicks, who nurtured her with faith, love, and a strong sense of responsibility to others.

Virginia was educated in the Cincinnati Public School system and graduated from Withrow High School in 1973. She continued her academic journey at Bowling Green State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1978. During her college years, she was actively involved in the Gospel Choir and the Black Student Union, deepening her spiritual foundation and commitment to community.

After graduating, Virginia returned to Cincinnati and dedicated her life’s work to education, serving as a Special Education teacher with the Cincinnati Public School system. Her career included teaching at the Stay Center, Roberts Junior High, and Merry Junior High. She concluded her distinguished career at Hughes High School, retiring in 2011 after decades of devoted service. Teaching was more than a profession for Virginia—it was her calling.

Virginia was a lifelong and faithful member of New Mission Missionary Baptist Church, where she attended services faithfully alongside her mother every Sunday until her mother’s passing. Her faith remained a guiding force throughout her life.

In her early years, Virginia found joy in bowling. In her later years, she loved watching football, drawing trees, and writing poetry inspired by their strength and beauty. She loved traveling and was always on the go. Music filled her heart—she enjoyed all genres, with a special love for gospel and R&B, particularly the group Sounds of Blackness.

Above all, Virginia will be remembered for her deep and unwavering love for her family and friends. She was a natural caregiver—always attentive, always generous, and always willing to go above and beyond for others. Her compassion and kindness touched everyone who knew her.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Elmira Hicks and Florine Saddler, and her nephew, Aaron Spruell.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her siblings: Richard Rucker; Deborah Pilgrim (Michael); Christopher Hicks (Gloria); Luevenia Spruell; Constance Hicks; Karl Hicks; and Paul Hicks, her baby, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She also leaves her dear sister-friends: Delaney Brewster, Wanda Davis, Carol Moran, Roxane Smith, Cheryl Borden-Thomas, and Cynthia Williams.

Virginia Mae Hicks lived a life marked by faith, service, creativity, and love. Her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those she taught, cared for, and loved.

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