"A Matriarch has Graduated to Heaven"

Mrs. Daisy M. Hicks was born in Tupelo Mississippi on December 2, 1923, to the union of John Patterson and Elizabeth Dismuke Patterson. Daisy and her family moved to East St. Louis in1929. She graduated from Lincoln Sr. High School and was the the first black woman to graduate from School District 189's Nursing Program and received her pin. Mrs. Daisy Hicks worked at Missouri Baptist Hospital for 10 years, she then started working at St. Mary's Hospital in East St. Louis and worked as a nurse for over 23 years. Her last and final place of employment was at Scott Airforce Base and there, her job title was Radiology Technician. She retired in 1972.

Mrs. Hicks believed in family. She helped to rear her sister Mrs. Hazel Miller, teaching her how to read and write, and let her embrace the arts through poetry. Mrs. Daisy Hicks was married to John L. Thurman Sr. and to this union 5 children were born; John Thurman Jr., Minnie Morris, Mary Thurman, Carolyn Williams, and a son that died.


After Mrs. Hicks divorced John L. Thurman Sr., she met and married John L. Chevis and to this union 2 children were born, Alice Green, who preceded her in death, and Emily Tally. After her marriage ended with John L. Chevis, she decided to try a 3rd time and it was a charm. She united in Holy Matrimony to Willie C Hicks in 1966 and no children were born to the union. They were married for 25 years until his untimely death. Mrs. Hicks loved reading and speaking to groups of people. She volunteered at Vincent Gray in East St. Louis to help students at St. Patrick's Literacy Program.

Ms. Daisy Hicks was a member of the Victory Council #1042, 1990 Past Grand Daughter Ruler, Purple Cross Nurse, Secretary to State Election Commission and a member of Sharp Ashley Group. She was a member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and St. Augustines Ct. #260, Ladies Auxillary Knights of Peter Claver.

Mrs. Hiicks leaves to cherish her memories, her sister Mrs. Hazel Miller of Cahokia, IL; her daughters Mary Thurman of East St. Louis, IL, Carolyn (Joseph) Williams of Pheonix, AZ and Emily (Arlington) Tally of Fairview Heights, IL; a daughter in law Dorothy Thurman; two play daughters Janet Jackson of Collinsville, IL and Sandy Essien of O'Fallon, IL. She also leaves 13 grandchildren—Yolonda Bynum of St. Louis, MO, Sherry Thurman of Pheoniz, AZ, Jenine (James) Humber of Boston, MA, Kim Bright of Pheonix, AZ, Andrea Riley of Pheoniz, AZ, Juan Edwards of East St. Louis, IL, James Green Jr. of St. Louis, MO, Bryant (Tyra) Williams of Pheoniz, AZ, Arlisa (Rodney) Lumpkins of Fort Steward, GA, Andre Green of St. Louis, MO, Janet Merrit of Texas and Latisha Tally of Fairview Heights, IL. She has 18 Great Grandchildren, 10 Great Great Grandchildren, and 2 very sweet cousins, May Burns and Pat Williams, who checked on her constantly.