Mr. Richard Alston Hicks, age 73, of 5305 Mt. Olivet Rd., Lavonia, died Thursday, March 06, 2008 at the Rainey Hospice House, Anderson SC.

Born January 18, 1935 in Hart County, GA, he was the son of the late Melvin and Louise Stone Hicks.He was retired from the Milliken Company after 47 years.He was a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and McDowell Sunday School Class, and was a former deacon. He served in the U.S. Army for 2 years.

He is survived by:Wife, Rosa Bailey Hicks; Three daughters, Tammy Pitt and her husband, Nigel, Ginger Kotal and her husband Randy, and Patty Wilhite and her husband Bill, all of Hartwell, GA; Grandson, Lukas Wilhite; Granddaughters, Bliss Kotal, Erin Wilhite, Emilee and Kylee Pitt; Two brothers, Shelton Hicks of Anderson, SC and Louie Hicks of Hartwell, GA and one sister, Montine H. Mitchell of Martin, GA.He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Myrtie Ruth Bailey and a brother, Larry Hicks.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.Rev. Joe Black, Mr. Fred Greenway and Rev. Scott Mize will officiate.Burial at Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home ~ Hartwell Chapel where the family will receive friends Friday night from 7 to 9:00 p.m.The family is at the home.Flowers are optional; Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 2973 Mt. Olivet Road, Hartwell, GA30643.