Neva Martin Hickman

1939 - 2025

Neva Martin Hickman

August 3, 1939 - October 8, 2025

Neva Martin Hickman, born August 3, 1939, in Roanoke, Virginia, daughter of the Honorable Julian K Hickman (deceased) and Neva Martin Hickman (deceased), died October 8, 2025, in Midlothian, Virginia. She spent most of her childhood in Harrisonburg before moving to Richmond.

Her three daughters survive Neva: Victoria Charbonneau of Taraz Kazakhstan, Kami Louth of Midlothian, Virginia and Emilie Mudd, of Bolivar Missouri, grandchildren: Marc, Sarah, Katherine, Michael, Sarah, Stephen, Adell, and Nadia, great-grandchildren: Damien, Scarlett, Jackson, Wyatt, Christian, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Henry, Judah, Enzo, Daisy, Elvis and Satine, and step children: Craeg Strong of New York, Hung Mai of Richmond, Elizabeth Plank of Austin, Texas, and Jennifer McRae of Lake City Florida. Her brother, Julian K. Hickman, II, will continue to tell and write stories about their childhood, full of family drama and, later, numerous family gatherings at Neva's house, where she presided over the events, which were often a balance between formality, mischief, laughter, and family stories. The more guests, the merrier; it didn't matter who it was, and that was one of her strengths.

Neva grew up on Cantrell Avenue in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Neva enjoyed her numerous cousins and friends in Harrisonburg and Charlotte Court House on the Martin Farm.. She went away to Saint Ann's School in Charlottesville, where she flourished. She attended Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and later transferred to Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. She married Thomas Mudd, living in Waynesboro, Virginia, and then moved to Richmond, Virginia, in the early 1960s. They lived in the West End of Richmond near Willow Lawn, then moved to Midlothian with their three girls. Later, she married Dr. Stanley Strong, moving to Ashland, Virginia, and eventually to Monument Avenue in Richmond. While in Ashland, she continued her studies, graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in business administration.

Neva loved the beach and especially Topsail Island, North Carolina. She loved hosting her children, grandchildren, and friends at the beach. Many family gatherings have been held at her homes, with family and the occasional stranger in attendance, sharing stories and enjoying delicious food. Neva was a good cook and a fitness enthusiast. She loved riding her bike and continued to ride it into her 70s.

Neva had an adventuresome spirit and loved to travel. She enjoyed visiting her family in Montana and Missouri, as well as taking impromptu and planned adventures. She and Stan traveled around Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall, then later visited England for the wedding of one of her nephews.

In later years, she found enjoyment at the Tuckahoe YMCA, where she worked at the front desk, allowing her to socialize while greeting people and enjoy her fitness regimen. She had many friends at the YMCA.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life on December 27, 2025. This will be a time for family and friends to gather, share stories, laugh, shed a few tears, enjoy good food, and catch up. More details will be shared later.