Local attorney Lynne Hicks was recently awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

In his nomination letter to Rep. Julia Howard, attorney Grady McClamrock Jr. said of Hicks: “Lynne has served the Davie County community for 33 years. Following her father Claude Hicks’ footsteps as a Mocksville attorney, Lynne began her Mocksville law practice in 1983. Since that time, Lynne has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of the poor and underprivileged. Lynne has been on every court-appointment list since she began practicing law and represents anyone who asks without regard of the financial circumstances.”

Hicks worked at the sheriff’s department prior to attending law school at Wake Forest. She has been active at First United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and praise-band, teaching Sunday School, and she single-handedly built the history room. She has served on committees in Scouting, has been a Den mother, assistant Scout leader in Mocksville Cub Scout Pack 574 and Boy Scout Troop 505 and has supervised a number of outings and events.

But perhaps Hicks is best known for her work with the veterans, which McClamrock called her “favorite cause.”

Hicks said she realized in her work with Scouting there was no local Veteran’s Day ceremony, so in 1997, she organized the first one, which consisted of a few people on the square with the scouts standing with their hands over their hearts. Over the past 19 years, the event has grown larger, with music and dozens of observers. Hicks humbly tried to draw attention away from herself, instead mentioning names of people who have helped make the event what it is, CJ Dwiggins playing Taps, Andrew Jimeson directing the Davie High band, Col. Terry Hales, and many others.

“It’s not much to thank the greatest generation. There’s not many of them left,” she said, mentioning Vernon Dull, who attended his last celebration in 2015. Hicks said the event has become so well supported, “I think it would continue even if I fell off the Earth tomorrow.”

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is considered the most prestigious award given by the governor. It is awarded for exemplary service to the state and community above and beyond the call of duty.

Hicks said she is “overwhelmed” at the recognition.

“I am just so very appreciative,” she said. “A lot of people had a lot of fingers pushing this forward, and I am very grateful to them.”