Lois Beatrice Hicks (nee McNeal) affectionately known as “Big Mama” and “Grassy”, was born on January 25, 1935 to Willis and Mary Lucy McNeal in Lineville Alabama. She was the youngest of 8 siblings born unto this union. She attended Clay County Training high school where she received a diploma. Lois accepted Christ at a very early age at Lineville Baptist Church in Alabama. Lois later moved to Cleveland and was a nanny for her sister Para Lee. She later met Leroy and on June 14, 1960 they married. She was a faithful and active member of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the Courtesy Committee and found great joy in welcoming visitors every Sunday morning. She later moved her membership to Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully until her health failed.

Lois had such a strong passion for caring and nurturing children that she and Leroy fostered several children through the Ohio Department of Children & Family Services. They later adopted Lisa, LaShawn and LaQuita.

Lois was an active community leader for which she received many awards, recognitions and resolutions within the community. Some of her active memberships included Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Order of the Eastern Stars, Morning Star Chapter #4, various Democratic political campaign committees and the Cleveland Public Schools. Some of her accomplishments included “Parent of the Year”, serving as PTA president and membership chairperson at various Cleveland Public Schools, Distinguished Contributing Citizen Award of the Eastern Stars, and Volunteer of the Year Award. One of her greatest accomplishments was her election as Precinct Committeeperson, the highest honor which the people in a democracy could bestow upon a fellow citizen. She instilled civic duty upon her children, her family and other children in the neighborhood.