Tonsie Mae (Coleman) Wicks

Tonsie Mae Coleman Wicks was born on February 22, 1934, in Gholson, Mississippi, to Athie and Mable Brookshire Coleman.

Mrs. Wicks began her education in Gholson and continued her studies after relocating to Shuqualak, Mississippi. She completed middle school and graduated from Shuqualak High School. She went on to earn an associate degree from Mary Holmes Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Rust College. In 1976, she completed a Master’s Degree in Education from Mississippi State University.

While attending Mary Holmes Junior College, she met the love of her life, Horace William Wicks. After several years of dating, they married on December 29, 1961, and made their home in Port Gibson, Mississippi, where they raised two children, Dariel and Marietta.

Mrs. Wicks dedicated 38 years to teaching.  She served across several school systems, including 29 of those years in the Claiborne County School System as the Librarian at Richardson Primary School for the majority of those years. She retired in 1993 alongside her husband. In retirement, they enjoyed spending quality time together and cherishing moments with their family.

A devoted member of First Baptist Church in Port Gibson, Mrs. Wicks faithfully attended Sunday School and was active in numerous church ministries. She sang in the choir, served on the Fellowship Food Committee, participated in the Deacon’s Wives Ministry, coordinated many Women’s Day programs, and was named a Mother of the Church.

Mrs. Wicks also actively participated in several community and national organizations including the Claiborne County Retired Teachers Association, the Order of the Eastern Star of Port Gibson, and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. Additionally, she served as Director of the Summer Arts Program at Mississippi Cultural Crossroads from 1980 to 1990.

In her leisure, she enjoyed traveling, especially with her grandchildren, gardening, and cheering on the Alcorn State football team with her family. She was also well known for her delicious desserts, including her famous Cherry Delight pie, pecan pie, cheese crests, and congealed fruit salad.

She was preceded in death by her husband Horace Wicks of 64 years, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Athie Coleman.  

Mrs. Wicks is survived by her children: a son, Dariel (Alicia) Wicks of Port Gibson, MS; a daughter, Marietta Wicks of Bessemer, AL; two grandchildren, Dariel Armon (Taylor) Wicks  of Houston, TX, and Delisia Lauren Wicks of Alexandria, VA; one sister Arimentha Howlett of Shuqualak, MS; one brother Narvel (Frankie) Coleman of Shuqualak, MS; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Wicks of Memphis, TN, Mary Wicks of Columbus, MS and Shirley Wicks of Jackson, MS; a god-daughter, Michele Johnson of Port Gibson, MS; a dear cousin, Morandy” Cokia” Simmons of Shuqualak, MS, her beloved nieces and nephews whom she adored, and other relatives and friends.  
 

The Wicks Family would like to sincerely thank all the caregivers for their commitment throughout the years of caring for our parents.  Your love and dedication will always be remembered with deep gratitude.  You are family..

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to make a donation in memory of Mrs. Tonsie Wicks @ http://Www.msculturalcrossroads.org/donate.

To order flowers, you can call Design’s by Beau @ 601-437-3965.

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