Seasoned Saints is a series of stories on Atlanta seniors who have helped shape the way the city is seen through local media, community activism, and a national lens. These stories are representative of Black History Month and the people who helped make Black history every day. Some are well-known the world over, while others’ names might only ring a bell within their respective communities. Black history is all around us.
-D. Suggs, Editor in Chief, The Atlanta Voice
There are family pictures. And then there are generational family pictures. 103-year-old Annie Velma Hickson sat in her favorite love seat in the living room of her home in Southwest Atlanta. The Fayette County native smiled as members of her direct lineage closed in around her.
Some stood, others kneeled, and others still sat on the arm of the chair. There were many people in the photo on the afternoon of Friday, May 30. In the photo were three generations of the family: Hickson’s son Tommy Hickson, 72, and daughters Diane Hickson, 75, and Joann Goodman, 70; oldest granddaughter DeAnn Richie, 55, and oldest grandson Theodore Hickson, 60; and other grandkids: Rodrick Hickson, 58, Hubert Hickson, Jr., 57, Andre Hickson, 54, and Lakunta Jenkins, 48.
The photographer asked the family to look in her direction and smile, but before she could frame this moment forever, another of Hickson’s grandchildren entered the home. Demetrice Jenkins, 50, owns a restaurant, Hibachi on Cascade, and visits his grandmother often. When he stood next to his sister, Lakunta, it was finally time for the photo.
“This is a blessing,” Demetrice said of having his grandmother here to witness moments like the one that just took place. “It’s a blessing by the best for the best.”
With her 104th birthday just around the corner on June 10, Hickson expects more gatherings like this one, but larger. There are 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren that have spun from the eldest Hickson. Her oldest son, Leroy Hickson, 80, passed away in January.
“It means a lot to me. They treat me nice, and I treat them nice,” Hickson said of her family. “But they know I don’t take no junk.”
The living room, now full of people, filled with laughter, following that statement from the family matriarch. The unanimous reaction to what Hickson said was proof that she was telling the truth.
“She is a strong woman,” said Tommy of his mother. “She took care of herself and took care of us.”
He said of his mother’s life and times, “It’s been a blessing.”
Big families have always been a part of Hickson’s story. Born in 1921, Hickson was one of 24 children from her father. She birthed 12 children of her own and has outlived all but four of her progeny. Her other son, Homer Lee Hickson, 72, lives and works in Central America. There are plans for him to be home in Atlanta for his mother’s birthday party on Saturday, June 14. Despite living and working all over the world, Homer makes sure to visit his mother several times a year.
“She’s the head of the family. She’s the rock,” said Homer.
Even though the party will be a celebration for Hickson, she will most likely cook something for the guests. When told that she recently baked a pound cake, Homer, who said he still enjoys eating his mother’s cooking, said, “She’s always doing something.”
Along with her annual birthday celebrations, multiple generations of the family get together for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations. Hickson said she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We always did have a good time together,” Hickson said of raising her children and grandchildren in the same house for the past 54 years. “We had a home full of people all the time.”
Hickson recalled times when her kids and her sister’s kids would come home from school and the house would be full of school-aged children. Her house, which is located in the historic Cascade neighborhood, was the neighborhood house. The one that local kids would visit and their parents knew was a safe haven.
“This was a house full of children, and I didn’t mind,” Hickson said. “I enjoyed raising them.”
A lover of flowers, Hickson was asked what her favorite flower was, and before she could answer, the entire house answered for her.
“All of them,” they could be heard saying in unison.
Hickson said she is enjoying her life and still enjoys doing many of the things she once did for fun, such as cooking, tidying up around the house, and reading her Bible.
“I cook a lot, I hop around on that stick when I feel like it, and I get to cooking,” Hickson said of the black cane she uses to get around the house.
There is one thing she misses, though.
“Getting out in the yard and planting flowers. I can’t do that anymore,” Hickson said.
According to Hickson, her faith is the primary reason for the blessing that is longevity of a life that has spanned a century. Holding her Bible in her hands during the photoshoot for this story, Hickson spoke of believing in God and raising her children with the Golden Rule in mind.
“Raise your children, don’t let your children raise you,” she said.
As for advice on living a long life, Hickson said she doesn’t get angry because it’s not worth it.
“I would tell people to try not to get mad. You have to be careful with people these days,” she said.
Surrounded by family, Hickson smiled for more photos and laughed when her children and grandchildren shared more stories about her. She was right where she belonged.
“She is the boss. She is the matriarch of the entire family,” Andre said. “When she speaks, everybody listens.”
