Vanuiel Virginia Hicks

Vanuiel “Van” Hicks passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025 at her home after a long illness.

Born on August 2, 1923, she made many friends throughout her life in both her church (Alcoa-Maryville Church of God) and community. For many years she was the assistant manager at the former Convenient Food Mart on Highway 411. She also worked in local school cafeterias as well as Apple Valley in Townsend, TN.

Van was an exceptional seamstress and enjoyed going to craft fairs in the Southeast, particularly those venues associated with the National Street Rod Association as well as Nashville, Knoxville and Gatlinburg Christmas Shows.

She is survived by her daughter Janice of Alcoa, and son Michael (Metta) also of Alcoa. She was grandmother to Melissa (Ben) Loope of Friendsville and great grandmother to Bleu (Khang) Le also of Friendsville; sister Barbara Hicks of Maryville and Curtis (Patricia) Patterson of Asheville, NC, as well as many nieces and nephews, and in addition, special friends Judy Scarlett of Alcoa and Ruby Parker of Marietta OH.

She is preceded in death by J. Hugh Hicks, her husband of 45 years; sisters Belle MeHaffey, Deanna Allen and Wanda McGee; brothers Paul, W.L., Hyder, Keith, Sherrod and David Patterson.

Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Hugh McGarity and great nephew Brant Hicks.

Pallbearers will be nephews Stephen and Samuel Patterson, James Hicks and good friend, Robert Campbell.

Very Special Thanks go the exceptionally loving care and devotion of the Caris Healthcare Hospice staff.

Funeral services for Vanuiel Virginia Patterson Hicks, age 101, will be held Friday, April 25, at 1:00 pm in the Mausoleum Chapel at Grandview Cemetery. Receiving of Friends will be held from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm just prior to the service. Entombment will follow at Grandview Cemetery.