Amzie G. (Hicks) Denson

Amzie Geneva Hicks, the only child of her late mother, Loretta (Hicks) Price, was born February 17, 1944, in Toms River, New Jersey.

Amzie grew up surrounded by a God-fearing family and the importance of God, family and unconditional love were instilled in her at an early age by her late grandparents Amzie (Worthy) Hicks and Rev. Frank Hicks Sr. So, for her, serving God was her blood type - from her younger days as a Methodist to later becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where she found peace in the hope that she would be reunited with her lost loved ones according to God’s promise. (John 5:28-29; Revelation 21:4). Not only were those values close to her heart, but she also passed them down to her own children. She had a great appreciation for the love in her life.

“Cubby,” as she was called by her close family or “Ann,” by her friends, was a loving person who thrived on making people feel at home.  In the early days as a military wife, her home was known as the “Coffee House.” It was where some of the other military wives would come for fresh coffee and pastries, once the husbands and kids were out of the house. It was once said of her “Ann can do with a chicken breast what Jesus did with the fish.” She will be remembered for her genuine kindness to everyone, her caring for others and as always cooking or taking people in.

Amzie enjoyed being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She had a close bond with each and every one of them.  When you were in her presence, you were her favorite (“between you and me.”)

She loved music, dancing, and roller skating.  She also loved to tell stories of her childhood/early adulthood and growing up with her many aunts, uncles and cousins who were more like brothers and sisters.

On Monday, April 4, 2022, Amzie passed away. She will be greatly missed, yet she will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who loved her.  She is survived by her daughters, Theresa Akana, Akana Soto (aka Yvette), Yolanda Clyburn (Donnie), and Gilda Robinson (Michael); sons, Jack Akana and Mark Akana; grandchildren, Amzie L. Denson, Jamel Hicks, Kameron Hicks, Danielle Townsend, Latoya Akana, Faith Davis (Carmine), Travis Clyburn (Jessica), Essence Clyburn, Joshua Clyburn, Terrance Hardy (Joan) Brandon Denson, Javen Denson, Bria Denson, and Asonti Robinson; 13 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In 2020, Amzie was preceded in death by her daughter, Loretta K. Hicks (aka Rita).

Information for the Memorial Service for Amzie will be posted here in the near future. In the meantime, please feel free to leave your fond memories of Amzie or messages for the family.