Donna Ruth Hickman

On Nov. 17, Donna Ruth Hickman, 66, of Ayden joined her sisters and father in heaven.
Daughter of Barbara Burke of Ayden and the late Harry Hickman of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Donna was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She moved to Ayden in her youth and has remained in Pitt County since.
Donna was known as the caretaker and protector of the family and surpassed her roles of mother, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend by immeasurable means.
She loved being a mother, Nana, and Aunt and loved all her nieces and nephews like they were her children.
She is preceded in death by her father, and sisters Barbara Veniziano and Rebekah Burke.
She is survived by a multitude of family and friends including her mother, daughter, Donna Marie Williams and her husband Alvis Williams Jr. of Farmville; son, Warren Zackary Bailey and his wife Sarah Bailey of Winston Salem; grandchildren, Nicholas, Emily, and Benjamin Williams of Farmville, and Annabelle and Oliver Bailey of Winston Salem. She is also survived by her siblings, Raymond Hickman of Grifton, Shirley Jones of Winterville, Joseph Burke of Ayden, Paulette Wetherington of Ayden, Edward Burke of Ayden, Rachel Burke of Winterville, Charles Gullette of Winterville, William Burke of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Ricky Hickman; stepfather, William Burke; honorary sister, Nancy Colon of Galloway New Jersey and their respected spouses along with numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and great nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. November 21 at Elm Grove Church, 5413 Weyerhaeuser Rd. Ayden.