On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, the world lost a man of honor, valor, and gentleness.

Deacon Eugene F. Hicks was born September 12, 1943, to the late Leigh Hicks, Sr., and Sarah Elizabeth Hicks, the fourth of ten children in Rice, Virginia. He earned his General Education Diploma from Prince Edward County Public Schools.

As a lad, Eugene’s calling was manifested. He was an adventurous being who loved to put his hands to work. He was a young, innate craftsman who could be found doing many tasks from landscaping lawns to cutting short timber.

His dexterous purpose continued into adulthood. He was a tire technician at Newman Tire Company with his eldest brother, Lee, Jr. Because Eugene was walking in his purpose, others took note of his gift. While working at Newman’s, he was encouraged by his cousin, Joseph Hicks, to work at Andrews Large & Whitten. There, he became a Construction Superintendent, where he worked for approximately 20 years. During his tenure with Andrews Large & Whitten, he supervised multi-million-dollar projects. Notably, an addition to Centra Hospital, formerly known as Southside Community Hospital, and the construction of the first kidney dialysis center both located in the town of Farmville.

Continuing to live in God’s design for his life, in 1996, Eugene, the master carpenter, the master electrician, the master plumber, and the master HVAC technician left Andrews Large & Whitten and decided to put his gifts to purposeful use for himself and his family. Serving as the spearhead, Eugene, in unification with his brothers Franklin, Robert, and Kenneth formed Hicks General Contractors, an integrous family business. Hicks General Contractors quickly became a well-known enterprise within the community because of their honesty and their ability, in the words of many of their patrons, “to get the job done right.” He also used the family company to do God’s work and aid the community by building many churches and fellowship halls.

While his God-given trades were his passions, his family was his heart in its purest form. His wife and soulmate, Alfreda, for over 57 years was one of his earthly treasures, his daughters were his angels, and his sons were his guardians. His favorite pastimes were all about family: holidays spent with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; maintaining the lawn of his daughter’s salon, trips to his daughter’s house to assist with home repairs, and talking with his sons and siblings about his prized possession, his 1956 Chevrolet Bel-Air 2 door sedan, he restored with his skilled hands.

But paramount of all, was Eugene’s relationship with God. He was not only a reader and listener of God’s word, but he was also a DOER of his word. Eugene accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Burkeville, Virginia. There, he was a very active leader: Chairman of the deacon board, where he served for numerous years, and a Trustee. Eugene was also a Sunday School teacher and an auxiliary in the Budgeting Committee and Men’s Choir.

Eugene, the quiet spirit, was preceded in death by the following loved ones: his twin grandchildren: Brandon J. E. and Braden A. E. Hicks; his sister, Georgianna Hicks Paige Knight; his brothers: Alfred L. Hicks, Franklin D. Roosevelt Hicks, Sr., and Lee E. Hicks, Jr.

Eugene, the excellent patriarch and friend, leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted and loving wife Alfreda S. Hicks; two sons, Dr. Terence L. Hicks (Susan) of Johnson City, TN, and Troy L. Hicks of Rice, VA; two daughters, Tetriss L. Hicks of Rice, VA, and Teisha H. Jackson of Chesterfield, VA; ten grandchildren; and five great grandchildren; three sisters: Ruby Mildred Bowen (Willie), Martha E. Mahan, and Barbara J. Spring (Joseph) all of Rice, VA; two brothers: Robert L. Hicks (Cheryl) and Kenneth W. Hicks (Georgia) all of Rice, VA; six sisters-in-law: Rachel Hicks and Emma Hicks of Rice, VA, Phyllis Tillerson (Thomas) of Farmville, VA, Juanita Adams (Melvin) of Richmond, VA, Bernice Smith of Farmville, VA and Patricia Montague of Rice, VA; one brother-in-law: Howard Smith of Farmville, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.