Cornelia Mitchell Hicks

Obituary For Cornelia Mitchell Hicks

Cornelia “Connie” Mitchell Hicks was born on March 1, 1947 in Decatur, Georgia at her grandmother’s home and died on December 4, 2024 at her home in Jefferson, Georgia. Connie grew up in Georgia, with her mother, brother and sister always spending time with and receiving much needed support from their maternal relatives. Connie adored and remained close to not only her mother, brother and sister, but also her mother’s siblings and their children her entire life.

Connie graduated from Avondale High School. She played basketball and tennis. Despite being 5’2” she was feisty on defense and had a wicked backhand. Connie and her mother, Ruby, both learned to drive when Connie turned 16.

Connie met Marvin Paul Hicks, Jr., a boy from Clarkston while they were both still in high school. After high school Paul played college football and after his freshman year, on May 13, 1966, Connie and Paul got married. They lived in married housing on the campus of Morehead State University where they had their two girls, Sandy and Ginny. Paul with Connie by his side, earned his B.S. Degree and Master’s Degree in education. Connie earned a cosmetology degree from DeKalb Technical College in 1977.

Connie’s dream was to be a homemaker, she was hugely successful. Connie’s homes were full of teaching, playing, loving and laughing. Making simple delicious meals and curling up with an episode of General Hospital, Dallas, Everybody loves Raymond, Reba and of course her beloved Hallmark movies. Connie’s go to was pimento cheese and tomato soup passed down from her mother, Ruby. Connie made sure no one was ever cold, tired or sick. She would immediately attend to the needs of anyone by providing a blanket, pillow, medicine and a bed on her couch.

In 1979 Connie and Paul welcomed a baby boy, Marvin Paul Hicks, III. Known as Trey, he was spoiled rotten by his family.

Connie continued her spoiling of children when Ginny had 3 babies. Aspen Elayne Reeves, John Kevin Reeves, Jr., (Bo) and Angel Baby, Olivia Grace Reeves. It was then that Connie became known as “Hunny” to everyone. As with her children, Hunny’s life revolved around her grandchildren and their lives. Her home was their sanctuary, roller skating in the house, over the top Christmas, birthday, and Easter parties. Four wheeling in a blinged out golf cart was one of their favorite past times at Hunny’s and if it got stuck Hunny got it out.

Connie believed in education. All of her children and soon her grandchildren will have college degrees. Two of her children have law degrees. Connie ensured her children and grandchildren had everything they needed to be successful in school, allowing them to have the “college” experience. They could expand their knowledge and have fun without the burden of worrying about money.

When there was a school break there was a trip, too many to count. The family spent years travelling together always taking an extra whether it be friends, family or significant others. There were cruises, Vegas, ski and beach trips, Disney, Hawaii and on and on and on.

As a young couple and later in life, Paul and Connie enjoyed traveling the world having vacationed in Majorca, Canary Islands, Tahiti, and cruising, one time they went back-to-back.

Hunny was a talker, laugher and giver. Hunny was so generous with her love, time and money. She believed the family and especially the children came first, she chose to stay home and play with the children rather than “go out”.

Hunny made monthly donations to St. Jude and could think of nothing worse than an ill child.

Hunny understood the fragility of children. She was a master at building confidence and self-esteem. Always there, financially, spiritually and physically at every turn in all her children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors. Connie loved to play but she did not believe in foolishness. She was very serious about her role as a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, cousin and friend. She did it well.

After Paul passed in 2008 the family dynamic changed. Connie, being a strong independent woman, moved forward continuing to provide a beautiful home for herself, her family as well as anyone and everyone who wanted to be a part of the happiness.

In 2015 Hunny was diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced it with courage and with the incredible care she received from her health care workers, she was cancer free for 9 years. Hunny was a light when she walked in to receive treatment. She loved to hear about her caregiver’s families and would share stories with them about her own family, especially her grandson Bo who she fondly called “Studly”.

In February 2024 Hunny was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in her liver. Percentages showed chemotherapy had a low success rate. Hunny wanted to live so despite low success rates, “tuffer than rent” Hunny took on the demon that is chemotherapy. Surrounded by her girls and grandchildren, Hunny battled. Her life was prolonged, but it was hard. Even in sickness, Hunny kept her strong, upbeat attitude and faced it like a warrior. Cancer knew it had been in a fight.

The cancer spread and Hunny transitioned to hospice care. She passed away at home with Sandy, Ginny, Aspen, Bo and Olivia by her side and at peace knowing she spent her life loving and caring for her family and in the end, they loved and cared for her.

Connie is preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Chloe Mitchell, her brother James Hugh Mitchell, Jr. known as Bubba to the family, his wife Betty Mitchell, her sister Cathy Collins, her husband Marvin Paul Hicks, Jr., her brother-in-law, David Hicks, Sr., her niece Tracy Mitchell, nephews Baby boy Jeffrey Collins, Baby boy Mark Mitchell and Larry Dorsey, Jr.

Connie is survived by her children, Sandra Hicks and Mark Monroe, Ginger Reeves and James Livingston, Trey Hicks and LeAnne Hicks, her grandchildren, Aspen Elayne Reeves, John Kevin Reeves, Jr. known as Bo, Olivia Grace Reeves and soon to be great grandchild Baby Boy Reeves, her brothers-in-law, Billy Collins, Larry Dorsey Sr., T.C. Hicks, and sisters-in-law, Connie B. Dorsey, Sharon Hicks, and Jennifer Hicks, nieces and nephews Terrie Smith (Tim), Robin Stone (Rodney), Wendy Collins, Tammy Sibley (Clarence), Holly McCulloch (Will), Brook Collins (Katie), David Hicks, Jr (Lori), Matthew Hicks (Angie), Melissa Baker, Jason Dorsey (Amy), Michael Hicks (Heather), Jennifer Johnson (John), Wesley Hicks, and Tyler Hicks. Connie had many great nieces, great nephews, and many cousins who she kept up with on Facebook.

Mama, Hunny, Aunt Connie, Aunt Hunny, Connie knew energy does not die. While her physical presence is gone, her spirit moves on in all the souls she touched. This world is a better place because
of Hunny. The lives of her girls and grandchildren will never be the same without her.
Hunny insisted the family celebrate her life on a cruise ship, laughing and loving in true Hunny style.

The staff of Central Cremation Services is honored to be selected to provide end-of-life services.

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