Suffolk News-Herald

Beauticians and barbers united to bring the community together recently in Lake Kennedy Park on Blythewood Lane.

Veteran barbers and beauticians were also recognized and presented certificates honoring their years in their respective professions.

Georgie Pope, Thelma Hicks and the Rev. John Thomas Edwards still operate their own businesses on the east Washington Street corridor. The fourth honoree, the late Roosevelt Darden, was honored posthumously.

*Hicks, 79, is the daughter of the late Deacon and Mrs. John S. Everette and a graduate of the former East Suffolk High School.

Hicks chose the cosmetology profession at an early age and went to work for her sister, Georgie E. Pope, proprietor of Georgie’s House of Beauty on East Washington Street. After earning her diploma from McGlone’s Beauty College in Portsmouth in 1947, she went on to receive additional cosmetology degrees, including an associate bachelor of arts, 1979; an associate master’s, 1983; and an associate doctorate, 1988.

In 1976, Pope moved Georgie’s House of Beauty to her home at 2422 E. Washington St. She sold her existing business to Hicks, who today still owns and operates Thelma’s House of Beauty at 382 E. Washington St.

Hicks is a member of the Suffolk Beauticians Chapter, the Virginia State Beauticians Association and its choir, and the National Beauty Culturists League. She has held the office of junior trustee in the State Association for over 30 years and is a member of the Association’s Elegant 15. In 1971, she was also voted the Virginia State Beautician’s Association Queen.

Hicks is a member of Canaan Baptist Church, and is the widow of the late Ralph Hicks. To this union were born three children –Dwight, Anita and the late Ralph Jr.

*Her sister, Georgie Pope, 81, graduated from the East Suffolk and in 1944 graduated from Beauty Culture School. She did further studies at Norfolk State University.

Pope also received a bachelor of arts degree from the Institute of Virginia State Beauticians Association. She received a master’s degree in 1985 and in 1989, a doctorate in cosmetology from the National Institute of Cosmetology.

Pope is a lifelong member of the Suffolk Beauticians Chapter and holds the office of recording, financial and corresponding secretary. She also serves as the reporter for the chapter.

Pope, a member of the Virginia State Beauticians Association Inc., is the assistant sergeant of arms and co-chairman of the state’s Senior Trustee Board. She also belongs to the National Beauty Culturists’ League Inc. She is also a member of the Board of Directors, Executive Board and co-chairman of the Senior Advisory Council of the state beauticians group.

Pope is a member of the Greater Sweet Beulah Apostolic Church and is an officer of many church organizations there. She is a licensed local evangelist with Pentecostal Angels of the World Inc. and a member of the Women’s Auxiliary.

She is the widow of the late Floyd E. Pope and has one son, Floyd Lamar Pope.

Both sisters are in careers that have spanned over 55 years and neither shows any signs of slowing down.

*The Rev. John T. Edwards attended the former East Suffolk High School and has an interesting story on how he became the proprietor of Mr. T’s Unisex Hairstyling Center at 806 E. Washington St. Read about him in today’s Q&A Column.

*The late Theodore Roosevelt Darden Sr., who established D&P Barber Shop in March 1958, died five years ago in his early 90s. He was sole proprietor for 20 years. Although he sold the shop and it was renamed C&C Barber Shop, Darden worked there until his death.

Darden was active in the community. In 1941, he helped organize the local NAACP chapter and served as an officer for nearly 20 years. In 1960, he received a Certificate of Merit and in 1991, a plaque for Outstanding Community Service, from the organization.

Darden also served on committees that organized 34 Boy Scout Troops in five years. He spent 37 years working with voter registration and elections of county, city and state officials.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Mahan Street. He and his wife, Barbara, had one son, Theodore R. Darden Jr.