EDWINA HICKS FORTE

Sunrise: Edwina Miles Hicks Forte was born. November 11, 1937 in Houston, Texas to the late Ed Miles and Inez Hicks Miles. She was the oldest of six children born in this union. The story goes that she received her nickname when she was a baby because she looked like the baby "Sweetpea” from the Popeye cartoons, but all who knew her knew her nickname portrayed her beautiful sweet spirit.

Morning: Edwina moved to San Antonio, Texas as a young child and was adopted by her aunt, the late Rev. Jessie Mae Hicks. She attended school in Ohio and graduated with the class of 1955 from Phillis Wheatley High School here in San Antonio.

Noon Day: Edwina attended Howard University in D.C. When she returned horne one summer, she met and married her life-long partner Robert Forte, Sr. They married January 22 over 60 years ago and together they had 3 children, Cheryl Rosalind, and Robert "'Bobby" Jr. Later they accepted another child into their family, Marva, and has shared her with the world as their daughter.

At an early age she worked at Hicks Beauty School where she taught cosmetology theory, where she helped thousands of women and men prepare to take their test for their cosmetology license. She worked for a short while at :Medina Air Force Base until it closed and decided not to relocate up North. She also worked at Ft. Sam Houston until she decided that a life-long career as a grandmother had much better rewards. She united with. Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in 1964 under the pastorage of the late Rev. W. G. Gillespie. She was responsible for making the weekly church programs and continued until her health failed. She was also a Sunday School Teacher and a member of the Metoka and Galeda ministry. When her husband became the second Pastor of Mt. Gilead, Edwina worked hard. behind the scenes to support her husband. in every aspect. She was the president of the Baptist :Ministers Union Wives and worked as a registration clerk for the Guadalupe Association. Under Pastor Forte, Edwina sung in the Adult choir and worked with the Mission. She was also the creator of the $500 club which was a major fund raiser to help pay off the church.

Evening: As the evening closed. Edwina was diagnosed with. Alzheimer's but continued to work in the church she loved until no longer able to do so.

Sunset: Edwina always kept hope, rested on her Faith, and fought till the end. Even though she had forgotten names, faces, and events at times, she never forgot how to smile. But early Sunday morning, September 8, 2019 she smiled once again as the Lord greeted her and welcomed her horne. She entered into Glory with dignity and grace probably singing a song of Praise as she made her transition. She was at peace and surrounded by family and friends when the Angels escorted her home. She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters Lillie Jean, and Carol Lois, her brother James Weldon, and her grandsons Trey Dunson and Lonnie "Stump" Franklin, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memories her devoted life time partner and husband, Robert, her children, Cheryl, Rosalind and Bobby as well as a special young lady, Marva, her two younger brothers Arnold Laye and Ray Charles, along with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, the :Mt. Gilead Church family and a host of friends.