Life is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get. But with Paula Juanice Watts-Hicks, the Grambling family got one of the best pieces in the box.
Paula attended Jasper Henderson Elementary School and Chatham High School where she graduated as salutatorian.
Paula was a woman of many talents and could do most things well. She was creative, an excellent cook, seamstress and loved to fish. She had a zest for life and enjoyed meeting and talking to people. She met no strangers and made friends quickly and easily. Paula was simply “unforgettable”.
After graduating from high school, she attended Grambling State University for three years. In 1985, she became an employee of the University where she worked for 26 years in various capacities beginning in the Department of Office Administration. Later, she worked in the Information Technology Center, the Favrot Student Union and was presently employed as Administrative Assistant for the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.
Paula’s charm, smile and warm personality ingratiated her to students and staff alike. It was Paula’s dream and desire to be a GSU graduate; therefore, in the Spring of 2012, she decided to continue her education and would have graduated with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in December.
On June 27, 1985, Paula was united in holy matrimony to Dennis Hicks. To this union, three sons were born.
She leaves to cherish her memories, Ruth Watts, her mother; her fiancé, Dennis D. Dobbins; two brothers, Gerald A. (Daisy) Watts and Darrell J. Watts; three sons, Deontez T. Hicks, DeShonte’ L. Hicks, and Darrien L. Hicks; two granddaughters, Tremiya and Jelayha Hicks; one grandson, Tysen Burks; her “special daughters”, Jenequa Jones and LuriShaunta Hassen.
Paula will be most remembered for her sense of humor, wit, and laughs that she shared with others. She will be dearly missed, but her memory will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.