Olympia Matilda George was born the youngest child of Elbert George and Olympia Delaney George in St. Louis on October 15, 1942. Throughout her life, Olympia often reflected on the wonderful, safe and loving childhood her parents provided for her.
Olympia was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools system. Her father, Elbert George, a lover of music, provided both of his daughters with private piano lessons. The family were devoted members of Union Memorial United Methodist Church, pastored by the Rev. John J. Hicks Sr. Olympia and the Reverend’s son John J. Hicks Jr. were high school sweethearts. At Sumner High School she studied under Kenneth Billups and his legendary Concert Choir and graduated with the class of 1961.
At Howard University she continued voice and piano lessons, earning her degree in Music Education in 1965. Olympia married Hicks Jr. in 1963. In 1968 they welcomed Jamil Malik Hicks and in 1973 Naima Yemanja Hicks.
Olympia taught in both St. Louis and New York City. In 1980, she received her MA in Education from Washington University. The family moved to New York City in 1983 as her husband’s success placed him among the most sought-after jazz pianists of his time.
In 1992 Olympia’s first and only grandchild was born, Nama Chintamani Hicks.
Olympia relocated to Atlanta in 1995 and taught music and chorus for the Atlanta Public Schools System until she retired in 2005. She passed away on December 7, 2006 in Atlanta. She is survived by her daughter, Naima Yemanja Hicks, her granddaughter, Nama Chintamani Hicks, her older sister Eva Jones, her nieces Veronica Jones, Erika and Delaney Echols, her cousins Nathan and Clementine Patton and a host of cousins, great nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends.