Another well-known White County historian has passed away. LaVenier Thomas Mize Hicks prided herself as being an original Cabbage Patch Kid, having been born in 1947 at the old Dr. L.G. Neal Clinic in Cleveland, the site of the original Babyland General Hospital.
She was knowledgeable about White County history, especially the Shoal Creek area.
Hicks was born November 2, 1947, in White County. She grew up in the Shoal Creek community and lived there her entire life. Farm and mountain life suited Hicks, and that is where she learned many valuable life lessons.
After graduating from high school in 1965, she worked at the local Talon, Inc. zipper plant for 34 years, doing everything from housekeeping to managing the plant. In addition, she worked as a part-time photographer and news reporter at The Times in Gainesville for 17 years.
It is estimated she authored thousands of articles and took as many photographs during her lifetime of work.
As a Red Cross volunteer, Mize was one of the first females to be certified by the old White County Civil Defense.
According to Barrett Funeral Home, no public funeral services are planned.
