Sandra "Sandy" Igene (Gross) Hicks, age 63, transitioned from this life peacefully at her home in Mechanicsville, MD on Monday, December 27, 2021 to live eternally with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sandy was born on October 4, 1958 in La Plata, Maryland to the late James Bernard "Totsie" Gross and Mary Ella (Mason) Gross. She was the fourth of eleven children.

In 1986, Sandy earned her certificate in Geriatric Aide Training from Charles County Community College. She then worked for the Charles County Nursing Home until 2003. She continued her healthcare career in the private duty field, serving the elderly and their families. Sandy would often say that caregiving requires passion and not just anyone can do this type of work.

Sandy accepted Jesus Christ in her life as her Lord and Savior in 1988 and never looked back. That year, she joined Gospel Tabernacle of Prayer under the leadership of Bishop Lee Roy McDuffie, Sr. and Overseer Naomi Ann McDuffie. During her membership at GTOP, she sang in the choir and served as a vacation bible school teacher during the summer. She also served as GTOP Usher Board President from May 2007 to December 2020. Sandy would always say that she would not know where she would be in life without the preaching, teaching, and wisdom from her Pastors whom she loved dearly.

One of Sandy's greatest achievements was going back to school to finish her education. She earned her Maryland High School Diploma from the State Department of Education in July of 2002.

Sandy's most precious moments in her life was spending time with her grandchildren who were her pride and joy. She loved being called Grandma, Gigi, and Memaw. She also loved spending time shopping, attending family gatherings, and making her famous potato salad.

Sandy is preceded in death by her father, James Bernard Gross; mother, Mary Ella Gross; grandparents, John and Dorothy Mason; father-in-law, Harry Hicks, Sr.; mother-in-law, Catherine Hopewell, and brothers-in-law, George and Louis Hicks.

Sandy leaves to cherish her loving memory her husband of 35 years, Harry Hicks, Jr.; daughters, Kimberly O'Neil (Brian), Dawn Hicks, and Candice Hicks; granddaughters, Serenity Campbell, Nevaeh Estep, Mya O'Neil, and Journii Ross; sisters, Mary Ellen Montgomery, Clara Marshall (Tony), Lisa Love (Mark), Sylvia Gross, and Karen Gross; brothers, James "Jimmy", John, Lawrence (Cynthia), Kevin (Dana), and Eric Gross (Priscilla); sisters-in-law, JoeAnn Farmer, Brenda Hemsley (Lonnie), May Noel (Conbus), and Tonda Hicks; brother-in-law, Kenny Hicks (Patricia); godchildren, James "Jay" Montgomery, LaCresia Washington, LaKeisha Chase, and Raniya Green; dearest friends, Buelah Woodland, Joyce McCray, Christine Lyles, Lisa Thomas, as well as many nieces and nephews.

There will never be another like Sandy. A woman of a few words, a servant at heart, compassionate, loving, sweet, a warrior woman, and a faith-filled woman of God! Her favorite scripture was Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Family and friends will unite on Saturday, January 8, 2022 for visitation at 10 am until time of service at 11 am at Gospel Tabernacle of Prayer Church, 24516 Budds Creek Road, Clements, MD 20624. Interment to follow at St. Matthew's United Methodist Cemetery, 10577 Charles St., La Plata, MD 20646. If you would like to send the family flowers, please have them delivered to the church address the morning of the service.