Charles Gregory Hickman

On Sunday evening, March 1, 2026, Charles Gregory Hickman passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Kingsport, Tennessee. He was 65 years old. He was a lawyer, basketball aficionado and an avid Bicyclist. His bucket list included a visit to every continent in the world.

"Greg" leaves behind a legacy defined by academic achievement, devotion to his family and friends, and a lifelong commitment to learning. He was never married and had no children, but he poured his heart into loving his young nieces and nephews. His life reflected quiet strength, intellectual curiosity, and of course an unwavering love for the people that meant the most to him. Greg loved Kingsport, Tennessee.

Greg graduated high school in 1978. He was an honor student at Dobyns Bennett High School, having been selected as a National Merit semifinalist in high school. As a point guard, he was one of the leaders on the Dobyns Bennett High School varsity basketball team for 3 years. He considered Coach Buck Van Huss and Coach Anthony Eckels as favorite teachers and role models. With the encouragement of Guidance Counselor Virgealia Ellis, Greg pursued a degree in economics at Wake Forest University. Faced with a serious illness during his junior year, Greg sat out a semester and completed his degree at East Tennessee State University. After his graduation, Greg obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Greg put his legal education to good use. He became a hearing officer for the State of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He worked in the Appeal Tribunal Unit for more than 20 years. He served as a Hearing Officer in Chattanooga and Johnson City. Greg was an exceptional employee "married" to his work. He received several performance outstanding awards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Willie Mae Hickman; paternal grandparents, Zack and Annie Hickman; maternal grandparents, Ben and Lucille Swann; uncle, Arthur D. Hickman; aunt, Mildred; uncle Kelsie Davis; and Uncle Bennie Swann.

Greg was the youngest of four brothers and is survived by his brother, Varley and his family, Amiri (Donna) Dawn, Amirah Omari, Jamaal, Jamillah, Jalyn, Jayla, Jada, Noah and Journee, his brother Don (Jan) and his family GJ (Melaine) Donovan (Brittany) Brixsey Drew, Canon, Destin, Hanon, Haden, Alane (Alexander), and his brother Jim (Vanessa) and his family Maurice (Tiffany) Trevian, Kaemon , Jamie. He is also survived by his aunt Barbara Greene (Wayne Swann and Rhonda), Deidre Pettus, Sir David Pettus, David Green; aunt Melva Hickman Cooke Mitchelle (Sabine) Patrick and Alexander Cooke, Kenny (Leidys) Cooke and Christopher Cooke; aunt Marva Swann; uncles Carl and Vernon Swan (Mary Ruth); cousins, Jewell (Percy) Keisha (Aaron)Edmond. Greg had numerous lifelong friends. Among these are Arthur Bradley", Jerome Pierce, George Long, Paul Horton, Ronnie Horton, Patrice Ben Abbey, Bryan Smith of Nashville, Bryan Smith of Arkansas.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Carter-Trent Funeral Home-Kingsport. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg's long-time and newly acquired friends. Those wishing to attend are asked to arrive at the cemetery by 1:50 pm.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport is serving the Hickman family.

"You never lose what you love if you love what you lose"