Cora and I shared a grandson, Sam. She was always gracious and very much a classy lady. I will miss the times that we spent together.

The news of Cora's passing reached us only this week. The world is a smaller place without her. Her sharp wit and beautiful smile are still fresh in memory. She shared her love and wisdom with us on many cherished occasions. We will always treasure our time with her.

WILLIAM POWERS, JR.

President
The University of Texas at Austin

January 15,2014

Mr. Lee Hicks
17220 Ennis Trail
Austin, Texas 78717

Dear Lee:

I have learned, with sorrow, of the death of your wife. As you
know, Cora was an extraordinary woman. The University of Texas is
honored by and proud of her legacy. The higher education community
was blessed to have such an important civil rights advocate and
inspired teacher and mentor among us over these many decades. She
leaves behind a truly remarkable and distinguished litany ot
achievements, as well as an admired and accomplished family.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. The
thoughts and prayers of her UT family are with you.

Sincerely,
William Powers, Jr.
President

She sounds like a dedicated trail blazer. What a legacy. Thank you for sharing her story. My condolences to Greg Hicks and her family.

Dear Eric, Elizabeth and I thank you for sharing this snippet of your mom's life with us. We really appreciate the short time we got to know your mom before we left Austin 18 years ago and, the correspondence with Cora over the years with Elizabeth's Christmas pictures and cards. She was a special lady in so many ways. Your devotion to her care and comfort in her last few years is a great testimony to her and you.

Her service to Austin Community College was greatly appreciated as she served as an adjunct faculty member in the English Department beginning in fall 1987.

Ellen thanks for sending this. I knew Cora and Lee very well. Lee and I worked many meetings and workshops together. For several years I was the token female on staff and he was the token Ethnic. This started staff intergration. He is a delightful fellow, and I'm glad to hear from Eric's note that he has retained that wonderful sense of humor. Cora was as delightful to be with as was Lee. I know he will miss her very much. Again, thank you for keeping us informed of events in the lives of TSTA retirees. Blessings, Dora

Eric,

I have just learned of your mother's death. I was very saddened by the news and immediately flashed back to the wonderful times spent with your father and memories of your mother.

I had the privilege to serve as president of TSTA in 1975-76. There was not a more supportive staff person for me to lean on than Lee Hicks, and I shall forever be grateful for the warm encouragement which he always provided to me. Although I did not have as close contact with Cora, the times we were together were just as uplifting, and I just knew that Lee and Cora were a team.

Gail and I want Lee to know that we are thinking of him during this time. Please give him our best wishes and express our eternal gratitude for the outstanding example that he and his family provided for a young, inexperienced association officer. Indeed, we will never forget either Cora or Lee.

Larry Yawn

Mr. Lee Hicks and family,

Our prayers and symphathy are with you at the lost Mrs. Hicks. My God give you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Blessings be with you.

Charles and Estella Akins

I am sending on to you guys. We, the senior citizens of TSTA worked with Lee. Cora was 94 years old. 

Reading Cora’s obituary…In her lifetime, she was recognized as the 1st black who worked as both a professional and a teacher at UT. 

To add to the recognition, she was also the 1st black woman to receive a doctoral degree from UT.

Our condolences and prayers go out to Lee and their 2 sons.


Ellen
Ellen Jeschke

What an amazing lady.

A precious lady has passed. Lee and I worked together for years with The Texas State Teacher’s Association and I came to know Cora personally thru Lee.

This lady exemplified class in very way. She was so proud of her boys and loved their involvement with music. My favorite story about Cora is when Lee and I came in from our travels as we did many times and Cora asked where he was going as Lee walked thru the kitchen, having just arrived from a meeting. Lee and I traveled a lot.

Cora was pretty, charming, very intelligent and had a great sense of humor. She and Lee were catalysts for positive and rapid growth of human rights issues during a critical time in Austin, particularly in the schools. MY regards to Lee, miss you brother!

Don Dorsett

eric, thank you for the lovely obituary in today's austin american-statesman. it was a beautiful tribute to cora - her personal achievements and her public commitment to the fight for equal rights. and i especially enjoyed the photo - reminding me of cora's beauty and warm smile. helen spear

Good evening,

We just saw the obituary for your mother in the paper. It saddens us. We are writing to send our condolences to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Take care my friend.

Rick DeLeon

She was a great lady!