Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Y. Hicks age 86 of Sugar Hill, GA; passed away on February 17, 2017. Ms. Hicks was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh Sr. & Priscilla Williams Maxwell, brother Walter Maxwell, sisters Juanita Harden, Virginia Johnson, Ivadell Jewel, & Betty Smith, & husband of 52 years Melvin Hicks.  She is survived by sons & daughters-in-law Stuart & Frances Hicks, Sugar Hill, GA; Bennett & Jessica Hicks, Sturgis, MI; Michael Hicks, Detroit, MI; daughter Marsha Hicks-Hinkle, Detroit, MI; brother Hugh Maxwell Jr. Detroit, MI; sisters & brothers-in-law Barbara & Clemmon Anderson, Detroit, Mi; Laura & Dorman Brandon, Detroit, MI; grandsons James & Kelsey McKinnie, Lansing, MI; Robert Hicks, Lansing, MI; granddaughter Brianna Hicks, Sugar Hill, GA; great-grandson James Mckinnie Jr. Lansing, MI; & a host of nieces, nephews, & cousins. Ms. Hicks was an Educator, & Author. Ms. Hicks was a graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Wayne State University with a Master of Science and Education Doctorate Degree, & Ashland Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Divinity.  She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Inc. Sorority, many numerous ministerial organizations, & education associations. Ms. Hicks retired from Detroit Public School System & the University of Michigan. She was a member of the Tabernacle Missionary Church in Detroit, MI. for over 50 years, & a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Duluth, GA. A service of celebration will beheld on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 11:00 am at Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Ronald Lee Bowens officiating Interment will follow at Sawnee View Gardens, Cumming, GA.   The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 am until service time at the church.  In lieu of flowers the family request donations maybe made to the Alzheimer's Association 41 Perimeter Center E #550, Atlanta, GA 30346 www.alz.org or to the  American Heart Association 1101 Northchase Pkwy SE #1, Marietta, GA 30067 www.heart.org Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Byrd & Flanigan Crematory and Funeral Service, Lawrenceville, GA. (770)962-2200 ByrdandFlanigan.com