Aretha J. Hicks was born February 12, 1940, in Douglasville, GA to the late Willie Jones and Callie Battle Jones. She was a woman of integrity and was knowledgeable in the professional business world. The family lived in Rochester, New York for several years. After returning back to Tampa, the family lived in the West Tampa and Carver City area. In the early 70's, Mrs. Hicks and her husband, Mr. James Hicks were the proud owners of the A & J Hotel located on Main Street in Tampa. She had a passion for decorating and working in her yard. She was the definition of a true M.O.T.H.E.R. a woman in relation to her children, who was always was proud to say, "these are my children". Then tragedy hit the family, with the loss of her sons, Bilah Shabazz, and Ronnie Felton, which weighed heavy on her through the years. Mrs. Hicks was a mother of dignity, as she continued to smile and keep the family together.

Mrs. Hicks was preceded in death by parents, Willie Jones and Callie Battle Jones; husband, James A. Hicks; sons, Bilah S. "Joe Jones" Shabazz, and Ronald Felton; daughter, Valarie Hicks; sister, Dorothy Harper; and brother, Lester Jackson.

She leaves to cherish her memories: children, Reggie Felton, James Felton, Jr., Kenny Lofton, Bruce Marshall, D'Andre Marshall, Sheryl Hicks Kelly (Luther), Angela Hicks, Cynthia Hicks, and Cassandra Cook; grandchildren, Ashley "Pooh" Jones, Chandra "Kasa" Richardson, Kito D. Felton, Carnell Watson, Niki Felton, Tasha Felton, Reggie Felton, Jr., Alexiadreona Buggs, Jayswaun Sampson, and Myron English; niece, Victoria Harper; cousin, Maxine Toombs; best friends, Margaret Richardson, Jack Maddox, and Allien Maddox Latson; and a host of other family members and friends.