Rev. Anthony A. Dicks was born on October 22, 1955 in Richland County to Miss Leola N. Dicks. He attended public schools in Aiken and graduated from Aiken High School in 1973. He earned a bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Economics from Benedict College. He did further studies at the University of South Carolina in Black Liberation Theology. He also earned an Associate of Science Degree in Funeral Service from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services in Atlanta, Georgia.

He is married to Denise Johnson Dicks and they are the parents of four children; Shiquita West, Anthony A. Dicks, Jr., Ranecci Dicks, and Maisha Dicks.

Pastor Dicks gave his initial sermon at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Aiken, South Carolina on June 7, 1973. He was ordained on June 16, 1974. On April 22, 1982, he was called as Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, and was installed on September 22, 1982.

He is Chairman of th Education Commission of the Gethsemane Baptist Association; member of the National Baptist Convention of American Board of Education; member of the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention of America; Vice President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Columbia; member of Waverly Neighborhood Improvement Protection Association and Chaplin of the Columbia Fire Department. Rev. Dicks is also member of the Board of Directors of the AC Flora Foundation. He is Owner, President, Funeral Director, and Embalmer of the A.A. Dicks Funeral Home, Sullivan Chapel, 1206 Oak Street, Columbia, South Carolina.

Pictured l-r are daughter Shiquita with husband Nakia; grandaughter Devin (Anthony Jr.); son Anthony Jr. with wife Miriam.