Elsie Gardener Hickam

Elsie Hickam Obituary

Elsie Gardener Hickam, 97, of Garden City, S.C., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 7, 2009. Until the last, she lived in her house in Garden City, adjacent to Myrtle Beach, S.C. She was born Elsie Gardener Lavender on June 15, 1912, in Atkin (near Gary), McDowell County, W.Va., to James and Minnie Lavender. She lived for many years in Coalwood, W.Va., then moved to live in Garden City, S.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Hickam Sr., who died on September 2, 1989. Until his retirement, Homer was the mine superintendent of Olga Coal Company. Her brothers, Kenneth, Joe, Charlie, Victor, and James Kent, also preceded her in death. Elsie was a graduate of Gary High School, Class of 1930. She was active in many organizations in Coalwood including the Coalwood Community Church Methodist Women's Circle and the Olga Woman's Club. She also supported the local schools, working tirelessly to raise funds for a variety of student activities. Most of all, she loved whatever her two sons were doing and helped them with advice and counseling throughout her long and splendid life. She was prominently featured in the memoirs written by her second son, Homer Jr., which included Rocket Boys, The Coalwood Way, Sky of Stone, and We Are Not Afraid. Her character was played by Natalie Canerday in the film October Sky. Last year, she was thrilled when the Northside High School football stadium in Roanoke, Va., was named for her son, Jim, who was the head football coach at Northside for many years. She is survived by her sister, Mary Lavender, of Mount Airy, N.C.; two sons, James Venable Hickam and wife, Betty Laphew, of Roanoke, Va., and Homer (Sonny) Hickam Jr. and wife, Linda Terry, of Huntsville, Ala. She is also survived by a granddaughter, Cheyanne Hickam, of Roanoke; and three greatgrandsons, James David, Michael and Rex Hadley Morgan. Since Elsie was a lover of all cats, please send memorial donations to www. forgottenfelinesff.petfinder.com or Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 4506, Huntsville, Ala. 35815. Memorial services will be private. Please send online condolences to [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Roanoke Times on Oct. 10, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Elsie Hickam

12 Entries

Joy Walker

January 11, 2021

I did not know your mother, only from the portrayal of her in "The Rocket Boys". I'm sure she was a wonderful lady and that you and your extended family miss her deeply. What is interesting, this morning I was going through an old scrap book of my mother's (who passed away in 1986 and would have been 101 years young this past Christmas Eve) and found a newspaper clipping of your mother and father's wedding announcement. Imagine my surprise! You see, my grandmother, my mother's mother, was a Lavender (Lillian Eleanor Lavender). As I read through the announcement, I was assured that this, indeed, was the mother of Homer Hickam Jr! I'm not sure of the relationship between your mother and my grandmother...but how nice! And guess what? My husband and I vacation in Garden City every year. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe it's just an area that has drawn our families together! Before COVID hit us all, I traveled to McDowell County once a week for my work as a job coach and, hopefully, will once again soon. Also, we have actually met. You have autographed three of your books for me at Tamarack in Beckley, WV. Please accept my condolences in the death of your sweet mother.

Michael Farmer

April 13, 2010

Jim,Homer
So sorry to hear about your mother. She was a strong influence on both your lives and we wanted to send our condolences. Once again so sorry for your loss.

Melbie and Fred Jones

October 25, 2009

We lived and were active in the lovely Coalwood community until 1968 and was a member of the Woman's Club until that time with your Mother. She was always a big influence on the community, her husband and family and the woman of Coalwood; a great leader and good friend to all. She will be missed.

Jeanette Coulson Webber

October 13, 2009

Jim, Homer & Families;
Know you will miss your mother and am glad that you had her as long as you did. Conley & I, brother & sister, are from Coalwood and graduates of Big Creek too. You're in our thoughts and prayers. Conley lives in Boones Mill, VA and I live in Salem.
Conley R. Coulson
Jeanette Coulson Webber
God bless you and yours.

Jane Amburn-Wharton

October 13, 2009

Mr. Hickam and Family, I am sorry for your loss. I never met your Mother, but with fine sons as she brought up, she must have been excellent and I now live in the coal counties of Virginia so I do know some ladies that are as giving as your Mother was. May God Bless.

Jim McMillan

October 13, 2009

The McMillan and Fitzgerald families would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Hickam family. No doubt our families prayed together often at The Coalwood Church during those year's your mother and father lived there...a wonderful town...a wonderful place...Coalwood forever.

Alan and Carol Pritchard

October 10, 2009

Homer, Linda, Jim and Betty Jane,
We were truely sorry to hear of the passing of Miss Elsie on Wednesday. We enjoyed many a visit with her talking about anything from rockets to our families. She always welcomed us into her home and family as if we were her own children. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.

Venus Dell'Orso

October 10, 2009

Hi Homer and Linda, I never met your mother but my sister delivered the Welch Daily Telegraph and my dad worked with your dad in the mines. My sisters and I too graduated from Big Creek High. I'm sending deepest sympathy with love and prayers. Former Coalwoodian, Venus Cline Dell'Orso

Evelyn Sellers

October 10, 2009

Homer,

I never met you or your mother in person but I did call her once and spoke with her on the phone. I enjoyed the conversation very much and told her how much I enjoyed the movie October Sky and that it was one that I had watched over and over which is something I don't usually do. She sounded like a very nice lady and I know she will be missed by all who knew her. May God richly bless you and all your family during this time of sorrow and always is my prayer.

October 10, 2009

Dear Mr. Hickam:

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. I only “met” her in The Coalwood books there she will live on forever. She was a great mom, the Rocket Mom.

Eddie (Verkhnaya Salda, RUSSIA)

October 10, 2009

Jim, Betty Ann, Homer, Linda and families,

Your mother lived a long and exciting life aided by your many sports and literary victories. She cherished all of these in her heart. May her example and God's richest blessings carry you through this difficult time.
Betty, I think so often of your parents.

Our daily thoughts and prayers continue to be with you.

Bill (William) and Jean Dillon
1501 Tuckahoe Road
Waynesboro, VA 22980

Mike Black

October 10, 2009

Homer,

I always loved seeing and working with your mom (and you) when I was associate pastor at Belin UMC in the late 1980's. She was quite a lady. The Lord gave her many good years and she lived them to the fullest. There is so much to be thankful for.

God bless you and your family.

Rev. Mike Black
First UMC, Myrtle Beach
843-421-1869

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