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"Come my son, enter into the joy of the LORD." On Saturday, December 4, 2021, Amari Joshua Hicks was on the receiving end of a very important call from the One who had ultimately created him and foreknew him before he entered his mother's womb. No one who knew him was ready for Amari to receive that fateful call, nor was anyone prepared to learn that he had left this earthly world, headed for his heavenly home. Mari was the one in the family known for often calling everyone else to expresshislove, concern, and desire to simply spend time and connect with them. The sound of his kind, humorous voice, and infectious laughter are longed to be heard again; his generous spirit is already missed.

Affectionately called, "Mari", Amari was born on November 19,2009at Winn Army Community Hospital (Fort Stewart, GA)to loving parents, Joshua and Melissa Hicks, who joyously anticipated his birth. He was nurtured in a loving Christian home and was taught Christian values, which he consistently practiced. Mari was a proud, 6th-grade student at Lewis Frasier Middle School (Hinesville, GA). He was curious, ever learning, patient with younger children, eager to engage with older adults in his family, and always up for a good prank. Mari was also an athlete, active in football, baseball, and track and field. In all sports, hisDadcoached and mentored him, cherishing every moment to bond as father and son. Video games and spending time with his large, extended family and close friends were among his favorite activities, although it did not require much for him to wear a perpetual smile on his face. Vibrant, encouraging, and loving…a developing young man with a heart of pure gold… that was Mari during 12 of the best years of our lives.

Amari was preceded in death by grandparents:Freddie Sanders,Arthur W.LeCounte,Patrick Crosby; great-grandparents:Rev.Henry&EvaKate Smith,andClayton& LouiseLeCounte;andgreat aunts:Sondra Lovelace,Paula Yarbroughand Maxine Smiley.

Mari's family members living in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, New Jersey, and Mexico are grieving the loss of his beautiful and sweet spirit in the earth.

He leaves to cherish his memory:his loving parents,Joshua and Melissa Hicks; a beloved sister and brother,Aliyah Harvey and JayvonLeCounte; grandmothers,Deborah Crosby and Ruby J.Stallworth;great- grandparents,Betty (Carl) Squires; aunts and uncles,Maria Holland, Jacqueline Rivers, Jarvis Stallworth, andMichael (Nevada)LeCounte,Tewana(Freddy) Cervantes, Sonya Hawkins, Stephanie Curry, Sophia (Darrick) Smoke, Yolanda (Jermaine) Roberts, and Julia (Luster) Grayson;great-aunts and great-uncles,LudessaAlexander, Adrian James, Elijah (Tracy) Smith, Randy (Joy) Smith, Betty (Nathaniel) Alexander, Sam Ivory, Lolita (Kevin)Chestaing, Nichelle (Marshall) Brandon, Josette Coleman, Christy (Kevin) Hammons, LaMonica (James) Greeley, Henry (Natasha) Evans, Yolanda Jackson;Elizabeth Torres,andKendra Singleton;ahost ofcousinsandfriends; andhis best friend,JakelStump;