Darlington Mayor Gloria Hines presents a proclamation and key to the city to Maggie Samuel Hicks during the August 7 Darlington City Council meeting. Photo by Melissa Rollins
By Melissa Rollins, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
During the August 7 Darlington City Council meeting, Mayor Gloria Hines presented a key to the city to Maggie Samuel Hicks, who celebrated her 101st birthday in June. Hines also signed a proclamation making August 8, 2018 Maggie Samuel Hicks Day.
The proclamation reads:
“Whereas, Maggie Samuel Hicks was born June 26, 1917 in Darlington, South Carolina the 11th child of Mr. and Mrs. Washington Samuel; and
Whereas, Maggie has ten siblings James, Clayton, Alberto, Joshua, Irene, Elijah, Townsend, Boyd, Frank, and Isaiah; and
Whereas, In the early 1930’s Maggie married David Keith Hicks, who was the third of 11 children. Maggie and Keith welcomed two children to their union, Annie Mae and David. Jr.; and
Whereas, Maggie was educated in Darlington County Schools and although she has been employed elsewhere in Darlington, most remember her as the lady working (and seeming to be running) Hunter’s Grocery; and
Whereas, She is a lifelong founding member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Darlington, where Maggie worked diligently in several capacities, especially singing in the church choir for 40+ years until she was no longer physically able to do so; and
Whereas, Maggie has two grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren, a multitude of nieces and nephews, as well as numerous non-biological grands, nieces and nephews in addition to many other relatives and friends; and
Whereas, Today Maggie enjoys her family and friends; watching her Atlanta Braves; keeping up with Darlington and national news, especially on CNN. She really enjoys watching NASCAR races and talking about the changes in the world, all while declaring the greatness of the Lord; and
Whereas, Maggie still has those peppermint candies, cake, fruit and cookies waiting for people when they visit. Every now and then you can see Maggie driving around Darlington in her little white car; and
Whereas, Maggie Samuel Hicks is the matriarch of her family and is highly respected and loved by her family, friends and others more than words can express; and therefore,
Be it resolved that the council of the City of Darlington affirm this day, August 7th, 2018 as Maggie Samuel Hicks Day in the City of Darlington, South Carolina.”
After being presented the key and proclamation, Hicks spoke a little bit about her life and who she credits with her longevity.
“I have been around this town all of my days. Now, I know the Lord blessed me because sometime it was hard. I went to school at Mayo and at that time I had to get up in the morning and walk about six miles to get to school. The kids don’t know what a blessing they have now. Through all of that, the Lord made a way for me. I didn’t drink, I didn’t smoke but I ate that old time food and that’s what helped me be here today. I tried to live the life that I think and I know that God would be pleased with. I lost my husband in 1964 and I wondered how I was going to make it. But then I said there is a God somewhere and I told the kids that we’ll make it. Sometimes I sit down and I wonder just how I made it but it wasn’t me; it was God. My kids didn’t go hungry. They might not have had everything they want but right now I believe I like some of that back time better than some of the stuff that’s been going on. We wasn’t afraid to go out. We wasn’t afraid to left a door unlocked. Right now it’s a big difference. Put your hand, heart, everything, on the Master and he will make a way for you. Sometimes it be good; sometime it be hard. But he will make a way for you.”
