Jerri L. Hicks was born on February 21, 1964 in East St. Louis, Illinois. She accepted Christ as an adult and was a member of Southern Mission Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois.

She graduated from Lincoln Senior High in 1982. Jerri obtained a certificate in Early Childhood Development and also a certificate in Medical Coding and Billing.

Jerri was an avid lover of all things music and poetry. She was a writer herself.

Jerri loved and cherished her family. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She was always there when we needed her no matter what. Her humble and loving spirit awarded her with so many friends and deep connections with anyone that was in her life.

Jerri was preceded in death by her mother, Annie M. Garner and father, Cletie Milon.

She leaves to cherish her memory, Charles Hicks Sr. (ex-husband); children, Jamil Hicks and Charles Hicks; goddaughter, Dacia Gardner; siblings, Camilla Garner, Joan Garner, Kim Luster, Kelvin Luster (brother-in-law), Kathy Milon, Sharon Boyd, Alonzo Byrd (brother-in-law), Nicole Milon and Cletie Milon, Jr.; grandchildren, Kendrick Hicks, Charles Hicks III, Jadon Hicks, Kiira Hicks, Caden Hicks-Holmes, Carter Holmes, and Cameron Holmes and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.