Junius Clinton Hicks

A Celebration of Junius’ Life

On Sunday, February 25, 2024, after a brief illness, Junius Clinton Hicks, ninety-two and a half years young, beloved husband of Anna Elizabeth Johnson Hicks (predeceased), passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus in the comfort of his home. His parents, Joe Washington Hicks and Lillie Mae Hicks Morgan, and his eight siblings, William Mae; Rosa; Joe Washington; Alice Lillian; Doward Bellmon; Robert Lee; Dennis Allen; and Anna Lucille preceded Junius in death.

Left to continue his legacy of Christ- centered love are his three loving daughters: “Dot” Martha Hicks, Gwendolyn H. Degraffinreid, and Patricia H. Long; three granddaughters: Anna Degraffinreid, Tracy Degraffinreid Foster, and Lindsay Lee Long; son-in-law, Clinton E. Long; grandson-in-law, Kmele Foster; and two great grandchildren, Lia and Coen Foster. Also left to continue his legacy of Christ-centered love are a host of wonderful relatives and friends in Christ Jesus who are eagerly awaiting Christ’s return and will be eager to see Junius again.

Junius was born on June 18, 1931, in Blackstone, Virginia. He was the seventh out of nine children born to Joe Washington Hicks and Lillie Mae Hicks Morgan. Junius’ father passed away in March 1935 when Junius was only four years old. After the death of her husband, Lillie Mae, out of necessity and with much love for all of her children, sent some of her children

to live with and be cared for by other loving families, until she was able to reunite the entire family. Junius grew up to be a very courageous, respectful, hardworking, generous, and dedicated family man. He was a gentleman and a very loyal friend. He was loving, spiritual, kind, quiet, private, and pensive with most people while boisterous, talkative, and easygoing with those he knew very well.

Junius met the love of his life, Anna Elizabeth Johnson Hicks, while they were in high school. When he was 20 years old, Junius was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. On June 18, 1952, at the end of a Wednesday night Bible study that was held at a Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Petersburg, VA, Junius and Anna got married on his 21st birthday. Anna was 19 years old.

At a very young age, Junius grew up as a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Like many of us in our walk of faith, Junius got distracted and began drifting away from assembling and fellowshipping with the Body of Christ on a regular basis. Junius stayed away from church fellowship for many years. However, when Junius met Kmele Foster, a young man

who began dating his granddaughter Tracy, the Lord began to minister to Junius. Kmele was a godly young man who was committed to doing the will of God as he walked in the ways of the LORD that he was being taught by his mother and his grandmother. Encouraged by the light of the LORD that shined so brightly in Kmele (his now grandson-in-law), Junius repented and rededicated his life to the Lord. Led by the Holy Spirit, Junius and Anna searched for a Seventh-Day Adventist Church near their home. The Lord led Junius and Anna to Breath of Life Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Together Junius and Anna rededicated their lives and their marriage to the Lord. As a demonstration of their everlasting commitment to the Lord, and to each other, they were baptized together at Breath of Life Seventh-Day Adventist Church. From that day forward, Junius has been walking faithfully with the Lord and he was a

faithful member of Breath of Life. Junius deeply loved and prayed for his church family, and he faithfully served as a deacon for many years.

One of the highlights of Junius’ life was his enjoyment in serving the Lord together with Anna. He was a strong supporter of the Pastor and Spouse’s Appreciation and Love In Action Ministry (PSALM Team) which was established by Anna under the leadership of Pastor Luther Palmer. In addition to being actively involved with the PSALM Team, Junius was also involved in the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) which was also led by Anna. Throughout 

the years, Junius and Anna enjoyed scheduling and hosting many trips to Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for sweet fellowship and enjoyment with their beloved family and friends.

Junius and Anna became good stewards over everything the Lord had blessed them with—their marriage, their family, their friendships, their faith, and their multiple business endeavors. Junius and Anna were faithful covenant partners and the very best of friends during their 63 years of marriage until Anna went home to be with the Lord on March 11th, 2016, at the age of 82.

Most of Junius’ professional life revolved around construction work. For many years prior to his retirement as a plasterer, Junius worked for C. J. Coakley and Williams Construction Company. In 2000, Junius and Anna founded J. Lord & Anna Auction & Realty, to serve and assist others in creating generational wealth. The J. in the name of their real estate company stood for Junius, a very skilled craftsman who did many of the repairs that were needed in the homes that J. Lord & Anna Auction & Realty marketed, sold, or rented.

In his free time, especially during football season, Junius could be found in front of the television, with the television watching him, rather than him watching it. Junius was a devoted Washington football fan now the Washington Commanders (as long as they were winning).

During football season Junius really enjoyed every opportunity he had to rib, and trash talk with his nephews William, Nathan, and Reggie who are devoted Cowboy fans.

Back in the day, when Junius was a little younger, he also enjoyed bowling, playing pool, playing card games, and gardening. He immensely enjoyed doing his yard work. After his wife Anna passed, Junius enjoyed cooking and found many recipes on YouTube that he tried and really enjoyed. His meals were delicious and every meal that he fixed was prepared with much love. Over time, Junius became tech savvy. He carried his iPad with him everywhere he went and took beautiful pictures or videos by using the camera on his iPad. Recently, Junius kept Siri very busy. He got a kick out of asking her all kinds of questions. Whenever he would ask Siri some theological question he would laugh, shake his head and realize that Siri isn’t as smart as some people think she is.

On February 19th as Junius and his daughter, Gwen, were talking, he said: “You know, we are given so many days and then we fly away.” Gwen asked him: “Are you prepared for that?” He said: “Yes. Absolutely!” Junius and Gwen talked some more. They prayed and Gwen thanked her father for his well lived life. She thanked him for being who he was and for all that he

had done for his family. Junius Hicks was a very good God fearing man who truly loved and cherished his wife and family. As our father, Junius Hicks, was deeply loved.

When Junius’ health was declining, the hospice Chaplain came to visit him at home. Although Junius had not been speaking very much because of his weakness and lack of strength, when the Chaplain entered his room, Junius had a surge of energy. The Chaplain and Junius could be heard talking and laughing together about the goodness of God. When the Chaplin asked Junius how she could pray for him, Junius said in a very loud and clear voice: “Please pray that all of my children will enter into the Kingdom of God.”

So, as you read through these few highlights of Junius Clinton Hicks’ life story, please consider where you are in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us: “He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12). Wherever you are in relationship to Christ, draw closer to Him. Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready?

13As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.14He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust. 15Human life is as short-lived as grass. It blossoms like a flower in the field. 16 When the wind blows over the flower, it disappears, and there is no longer any sign of it.17But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s mercy is on those who fear him. His righteousness belongs to their children and grandchildren, 18to those who are faithful to his promise, to those who remember to follow his guiding principles. (Psalm 103:13-18)