IVOR — The silent messenger of God whispered the summons to our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Joseph Henry Hicks, on the Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in Franklin, Virginia. In the obedience to the command, he stepped through the thin veil of death into the realm of immortal life.

Deacon Henry Hicks entered into this world on Aug. 10, 1927, in Southampton County, Virginia, to late Joseph and Mary Hicks.

On Aug. 6, 1950, the Rev. T.V. Brown, a former pastor of St. Luke United Church of Christ, married Deacon Henry Hicks and Dolly Florence Whitney.

Henry’s walk with God began at the age of 10 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Ivor, Virginia. For over 70 years, Henry accomplished many things. Henry’s commitment to God, his church and his family was ever so important. Henry never met a challenge that he wasn’t able to solve. He spent endless hours supporting his church and then his family.

His church affiliations includes serving as a deacon of Ebenezer Baptist Church for over 60 years; chairman of the Deacon Ministry for over 40 years; superintendent and teacher of Ebenezer Baptist Church Sunday School; and as a member of the Trustee Ministry, Usher Ministry and Missionary Ministry. He also served as director of the Baptist Training Union under the guidance of Dr. Albert Denkins of Norfolk State University, member of the Missionary Choir, Male Choir and the Ebenezer Combined Choir. He organized the First Ebenezer Baptist Church Junior Church.

Henry implemented the Food Bank Pantry at Ebenezer. He was a strong advocate for the improvements and the expansion, remodeling for the betterment for the church. He loved Ebenezer.

Henry was also very active in the community, which included being a member of the Ivor Medical Center Board of Directors, the Voter Electoral Registration Board and a founding member of the Young Farmers Club Inc., Zuni, Virginia, and other affiliations.

Henry’s working career included Newport News Shipbuilding, truck driver for Smithfield Food Services, and he retired as a longshoreman several years ago.

Henry was preceded in death by his seven sisters and one brother.

His memory is cherished by his wife, Dolly; his two daughters, Carolyn Hicks-Buck (James) of Greensboro, North Carolina; and Debra Hicks of Windsor, Virginia; a grandson Morgan Buck (Beri); two godchildren, Aaron Henderson and Ruth Nichols; and a host of other family members.

The homegoing service will be at noon on Sept. 17 in Ebenezer Baptist Church, 10686 Ivor Road, Ivor, with the host pastor, the Rev. Bobby Ricks, delivering the message of comfort. The committal and benediction will be in the church cemetery.

A traditional service with dignity will be conducted by Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Inc., 224 S. Main St., Franklin.

Please share your condolences with the family at www.wmjohnsonandsons.com.