Eithel Obelious Hickman

Eithel Obelious (Rat) Hickman, 71, of Bedford, Va., died on Sunday, October 4, 2009. He was born in Rockbridge County on June 3, 1938, a son of the late Eithel Madison Hickman and Virginia Bell Wilson Hickman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Denny. He was a member and deacon of Peaks View Christian Church and was retired from Sam Moore Furniture. Eithel enjoyed his family, friends, fishing, traveling and his church. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Catherine Trent Hickman; a daughter, Sylvia King and husband, Jack, of Laurel, Del.; a grandson, Steven Wright, of Roanoke; great-grandson, Ken Wright, of Roanoke; three special great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Markham, of Bedford; three brothers, Chester and Patricia Hickman, of Bedford, Marvin Hickman, of Hampton, Ga., and Thomas and Edna Hickman, of Bedford; five sisters-in-law, Mary Trent, Bonnie Ducharme, Marie Brownley, Christine Trent and Ann Waldron; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Peaks View Christian Church, 1604 Moneta Road, Bedford, Va. 24523. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at Peaks View Christian Church with the Rev. Charles H. Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Memorial Park at Holy Land USA. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at BurchMessier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, Va., 540-586-7360.