Memorial Service Zoom

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Passcode: 042 725

 

Edith Lee Hicks (née Gurley) was born on April 10, 1943, to Frank Gurley and Lucille Caesar in Darlington, South Carolina. Affectionately known as “Gal”, she was raised by her Aunt Marie and Uncle Robert Gurley up into her teen years, after which she left the South to join family in New York. Always a hard worker, she held several jobs as a live-in housekeeper, at a toy factory, and at the U.S. Postal Service. In September 1966, she married Clyde Hicks Jr. The couple was blessed with four children and raised them in the Brooklyn home they’ve lived in for over 49 years.

Over time, Edith took up the role of the neighborhood sitter. She spent over 30 years helping single moms needing safe childcare and families seeking after-school care for their kids. She gladly did this until she was blessed with her own grandchildren and looked after them into their school years.

In 1986, Edith embraced the bible truths she was learning and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She was a member of the Dorchester English Congregation for over 40 years, during which she volunteered her time to teach people in the community the very truths and hope that she’d come to love. She was well known for her warm hospitality, good sense of humor, and listening ear, welcoming everyone to her kitchen table to enjoy home-cooked meals and desserts, and being often asked to make her signature fried chicken and coconut pineapple cake.

Edith died on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, after a long battle with cancer at NYU Tisch Hospital in New York, NY. She is survived by her husband, Clyde Hicks, Jr., their children, Matthew Hicks (wife Aletha), Christine Garraway (husband Eon), Judith Hicks, and Cenithia Rosales (husband Hector); her sisters, Dorothy McCall, Carolyn Gurley, Elizabeth Gee (husband Henry), Betty Spear, Ralphine Depugh, and Betsy Tedder; her brothers, Douglas Gurley (wife Sarah), and Alphonso Gurley; her sisters-in-law, Christine Hicks and Susie Odumgba, her grandchildren, Ashley Mangin, Angel McKenzie (husband Jeff), Kalyn Hicks, Shane Rosales, Stephan Rosales, and Laila Rosales. Also mourning her loss are a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends, many of whom were like adopted brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters to her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Frank Gurley, mother, Lucille Caesar, and brother, Willie Gurley.

Edith was the heart and soul of her family and will be deeply missed. We find comfort in knowing that she felt blessed and grateful for her life. Her faith was strong until the end, frequently expressing confidence in God’s promise to enjoy life in His Kingdom (Matt 5:3).

The family of the late Mrs. Edith Lee Hicks wishes to express their sincere appreciation for all the prayers, phone calls, visits and many other acts of kindness shown during this difficult time.