Francine "Smiling Wind" Hicks, 79, of New Bedford passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021.
She was born on June 4, 1942 in Mashpee, Massachusetts to Jennie Mae (Hicks) Wright and Joseph Peters. Francine was the eldest of 4 children. She graduated from New Bedford High School. She went to school to become a barbette and worked in the iconic Frannie's Beauty Salon. She was married to Albert Walker and traveled parts of the world as a soldier's wife.
After high school, she did work in a variety of meaningful occupations such as a crabber in the Crab Lab, a filleter in the local fish houses where not many women were deemed the honor, and she served in Market Ministries Men's shelter where she would coach and care for all who lived there. She faithfully served others throughout her lifetime. Francine also graduated with her Associates Degree from SMU (now UMass Dartmouth). It was one of her proudest moments as she pursued it at a later time in her life.
Smiling Wind had many talents, a seamstress, decorator extraordinaire, chef, baker, counselor, warrior, boo-boo mender, tears wiper, story teller, hugger, encourager, lover and so much more. If there was one thing she was known for, it was her loving care for children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and community. She received many praises of gratitude for her volunteer work, which she did as a nurturer and a proponent for all those who she met. She did not know a stranger. She would take care, clothe, feed and nurse folks back to health. Her love crossed the reach of her arms and touched you to your soul.
She is survived by her daughters Gail (Walker) Keys and her husband Christopher Keys and Ann Marie Andrews; her grandchildren, Sharkea C. Hardin (husband Travis D. Hardin) of Laveen, AZ, Alvita L. White, DeQuan R. Gilbert, Tristan M. Walker, Tavonne S.Gilbert, Alesha Gilbert, Johnae T. Gilbert, and Donovan Gilbert; her beloved great-grandchildren, Nia, Amariannah, Tyrell, Dasan, Sy'Ayre, Rah'Miez, Elura, and Za'Kiyah; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, beloved friends and God-children.
Her parents preceded her in death as well as her eldest daughter Tyronia Walker-Persona, her brother Robert "Quiet Storm" Robinson, and her nephew Robert Correia, Jr.
Her Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-8 PM, prior to the service. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.