Mary Elizabeth HICKMAN

1934 - 2016

HICKMAN, Elizabeth Richardson Mary Elizabeth Richardson Hickman passed away peacefully November 14, 2016 in her home at Saint Anne's Terrace with her family at her side. Betty, or "Itty" as she was known by her family, was born in Lavonia, Georgia to John Neute and Elizabeth Pentecost Richardson on April 26, 1934. Growing up in Gainesville, GA with her two brothers, she graduated from Gainesville High School in 1952. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Agnes Scott College in 1956 where she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. While at Agnes Scott, she met Earl L. Hickman of Atlanta. They were married March 16, 1957 and enjoyed 57 years together until his passing in May 2014. While living in Atlanta, she began an elementary school teaching career that spanned 40 years, first at Margaret Mitchell Elementary and later at The Westminster Schools. For almost 15 years she co-owned and operated the Hanover House Antiques store in Highlands, NC with her dear friends, with whom she enjoyed traveling to England and France on their annual buying trips. After raising her family in Atlanta, she and Earl moved to Big Canoe, GA in 1997, where she became involved with the Big Canoe Chapel and volunteered at the Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center. She was also a member of the DAR. In 2015, Betty moved back to Atlanta and renewed her longtime membership at Trinity Presbyterian Church. She is survived by: her brothers John N Richardson, Jr. of Gainesville, GA and James T. Richardson of Montreat, NC; her children E. L. "Bo" Hickman, Jr. (Lizzie) of Atlanta, GA, J. David Hickman (Lyuda) of Atlanta, GA and Elizabeth Hickman Sullivan (Temp) of Nashville, TN; and her 5 grandchildren Kate, Hugh and Mary Virginia Sullivan, and Trip and May May Hickman. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Trinity Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm on Monday November 21, 2016. Family will receive visitors following the service. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation at sjogrens.org or Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center, Jasper GA at goodsamhwc.org.