Betty Jo Hickman

Mrs. Betty Jo Massey Hickman passed away on May 19, 2013 at Alive Hospice at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee following an extended illness. Mrs. Hickman was born on January 31, 1935, one of 12 children of the late Grover and Elise Dale Massey in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee. She was married to Donald Hickman on May 6, 1953 who passed away on March 22, 2013 just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. She was a member of the Columbia Seventh Day Adventist Church and loved the Lord with her whole heart. As part of that body of believers, she loved her church family so much.

Before Paw Paw passed away he was always waiting on Nannie when it was time to leave. She would have to love on everybody at least 2 or 3 times before she could get in the truck to go home. Well the good Lord decided early Sunday morning that Paw Paw has waited long enough for Nannie to go home with Paw Paw. The Lord took Nannie on to their new home in Heaven. I can just see Paw Paw holding their baby, Bubba waiting at the gates tell Nannie, “It’s about time.”

Her daughters remember Betty as having touched the lives of so many. She was an amazing homemaker who loved her family and her home, and was an outstanding cook. One of her greatest pleasures was canning the vegetables from the garden that her husband was so proud to raise each year.

Betty had an amazing spirit and as sick as she was, everyday she said there was always someone worse off than her. That thought is what drove her to be able to get out of bed each day. She always had a word of kindness for others, even during her final days, encouraging other patients and being thankful for those who cared for her needs.

Her children and grandchildren feel that these words describe her perfectly and hold their thoughts of her: “Mama was an inspiration to us, all patience, grace and kindness throughout her illness, as she never complained, always looking forward. Rest now, Sweet Mama as we shall hold you forever in our hearts.”

Mrs. Hickman is survived by her beloved daughters: Janice (Mike) Mabry, Sandra (Fred) Selle, Sheila (Larry) Byrd; her grandchildren: Laura Sparkman (Brandon), Martha Peden (Joey), Merri Osborne (Tracy), Anna Grace Howell (Charlie Ray), T.J. Rountree; her great grandchildren: Lillie Kate Peden, Noah Sparkman, Anthony Mason Rountree; sisters: Annie Henson, Sue (Tony) Thomson, Shirley Ambrose; brothers: Paul Massey, William (Wanda) Massey, Jackie (Cindy) Massey and Wayne (Denise) Massey; sister-in-law: Shirley Cooper and, brother-in-law: Pat Hickman; special cousins: Allen and Dorothy Faye McCanless and their family and Darryl and Melissa Potts who have helped Betty and Donald in so many ways throughout the years and were always there for them. Betty was preceded in death by her infant son Donald Edwin Hickman; and her siblings: G. C. Massey, Buddy Massey, Robert Massey and Pauline Workman.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hickman will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant with Pastor David Van Wyk officiating. Betty will be laid to rest beside her beloved Donald immediately following at Arlington Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, May 21 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Sparkman, Joey Peden, Tracy Osborne, T.J. Rountree, Randy Workman, and William Massey. Honorary Pallbearers will include, Darrell Potts, Nickey Savage, Rickey Savage, W.C. Johnson, David Clayton, Allen McCanless, Steven McCanless, Sammy McCanless, Charlie Ray Howell and Bill Hall. The family would like to give a special thanks to Randy and Theresia Workman and to their special long-time neighbors. The family also wished to give special thanks to Betty’s oncologist, Dr. Greg Shepard, Dr. Dana Chandler, Dr. John Maloof, Dr. Kelley Snyder, and to Alive Hospice at St. Thomas for their excellent care of Mrs. Betty. The family would also thank Williams Funeral Home and their staff for their care during this time.

The family would like to leave one final thought about their dear mother, confidant and friend: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth! When Jesus says meek, he means those who are reserved, patient and gentle – those who are willing to put aside their personal plans and needs for the sake of others. This isn’t weakness; this is a quiet strength, a strength saved for things of eternal importance, not personal reward. Jesus, with all the power of the universe at his command, was a perfect example of this strength.” The Hickman family believes that Mrs. Betty exemplified this strength as well.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .