Obituaries » Phyllis Anne Thomas Hicks
Phyllis Anne Thomas Hicks
Phyllis Anne Thomas Hicks, 83, of Lynchburg, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022. She was the wife of the late Eddie Stanton Hicks.
Born on September 20, 1938 in Gordonsville, Va. she was a daughter of the late Norman Lewis Thomas and the late Lorraine Vogt Thomas. She attended Orange County High School and Lynchburg College where she obtained a Master’s in Education. She was a schoolteacher and reading specialist predominantly at E.C. Glass High School. She was an avid walker and loved spending time with her family.
Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie Hicks Vaughn; and two siblings. She is survived by her son, Edward “Stan” Hicks (Sarah) of Lynchburg; three grandchildren, Kelly Vaughn Cano (Josie), Trey Vaughn, and Julia Hicks; and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg at 12 p.m. with Reverend Janet Hawkins officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Fort Hill Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg, 1101 Madison St., Lynchburg, VA 24504.
A special thanks from the family is in order to the countless selfless individuals who provided her with such exceptional care.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg at 12 p.m. with Reverend Janet Hawkins officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Fort Hill Memorial Park.
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Phyllis was a wonderful teacher to my daughter. Not only did she help her improve your reading skills but she gave her confidence and took great interest in her art. She offered support to her for many years and my daughter is now a successful art director in a major DC company where she is confident to hire, lead, & train her staff as well as direct and present projects. Mrs, Hicks was very instrumental in guiding her when she was full of doubt.
Posted by Winkie schoew on February 3, 2022
Oh what a cute person Phyllis was. I first met her when she was my teacher at Robert E Lee, Jr. High School on Park Avenue, Lynchburg Va. I saw her several times after that and always told her who I was. She would always smile and say I do remember you and what are you doing now. Such a peppy personality. So sorry for your loss. Betty Hutter Blankenship
Posted by Betty on February 2, 2022
To say Phyllis was a master teacher is such an understatement. She was extraordinary. Next to her family, teaching was her greatest love. I first met Phyllis when she came to E. C. Glass as a reading specialist. I have never met a more positive or dynamic person. Her enthusiasm was so contagious that she inspired me to get my Masters degree in reading. We taught side by side for many years and she became not just my mentor, but also my friend. I saw firsthand her impact on her students.She saw the good and the potential in every student. She was tough; there was no goofing off or disrespect in her classroom. But there was enthusiasm, compassion,and the belief in every's students worth. She was determined that every student would succeed and went to great lengths to ensure it. She tutored after school and spent hours contacting parents. And her efforts paid off as her students blossomed, learned the skills they needed, and went on to college and/or careers and successful lives. She did not see failure as an option, and little by little her students began to see their abilities and their growth. I never saw her give up on any student. She made them believe in themselves and believe they could accomplish anything with hard work. Year after year, I saw these students, now young adults, come back to see Mrs. Hicks to express their gratitude and share their successes. Not just students, but also fellow teachers were helped and inspired by Phyllis. She touched the lives of so many and made such a contribution to teaching. I know there are many people in Lynchburg and throughout the country who were privileged to be in her classroom or a colleague who remember her with gratitude and awe. With love and respect always to my friend, Phyllis. Joan
Posted by Joan Tice on February 2, 2022
Please accept my sincere condolence on the passing of Mrs. Hicks. She was a wonderful person. She was never my teacher but always let me and others know that she was there if we needed help. She truly cared and I always remember that.
Posted by Dorothy Thomas on February 2, 2022
Stan and family Mrs.Hicks was the love of my life and my Grammy and I enjoyed caring for her and there isn’t a day goes by that I doesn’t think about our great times especially my dear friend
Posted by Renea Randolph on January 31, 2022
Stan, family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss, please except my sincere condolences to you all.
Posted by Mel Parker on January 31, 2022
I love Mrs Hicks. I know she cared for me. Mrs Hicks was a godsend to me. I was inspired to achieve more.. I would like all of Lynchburg to know Mrs Hicks will always live with me. Mrs Hicks is in my Hall Of Fame of great people that have blessed our planet. One Love.
Posted by Ruben Brown on January 31, 2022
Sorry to hear this….She was a great lady and educator. One of my favorites!
Posted by Reid Ebert on January 31, 2022
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