Nancy Hickerson by David R. Kenney

NANCY HICKERSON

(November 24, 1944 - May 18, 2010)

 

by David R. Kenney

One of the very first families to invite us into their home when we moved to northeast Ohio in the summer of 1991 was the Hickerson family. It seems like just a few months ago that Annette and I, just graduated from Freed-Hardeman University and newly married, were sitting around Nancy’s table trying to learn the card game “Hand & Foot”. It did not take us long to appreciate that Nancy was a very special Christian lady.

One of the main things that will remain in my memory is her commitment to the church. She is one of the rare people who would ask me if I was coming to the nursing home service with them. (It is usually the other way around—me asking someone else if they are coming.) I recall with great fondness spending time in her home preparing for the Bible Bowl. The time spent in preparation was just as enjoyable as the Bible Bowl itself. One did not have to wonder if she would be attending the gospel meeting or not. If she was not there, then we knew she was either sick, out of town or something along those lines. When plans were made for activities of the church such as Fair Booths, VBS, Bible Bowls, Workshops, or whatever, I never had to wonder if she and Dayton would be involved in some way. Her commitment to the church cannot be called into question by anyone. 

 

Likewise, I have always been impressed with her as a mother of six children. All six of their children are faithful Christians, married to faithful Christians, and are rearing their children to be the same—faithful Christians. Before she went to the hospital she told me that she is ready for whatever happens. I recall her saying “All my children are Christians and my grandchildren are becoming Christians. If it is my time to go, then I am ready.” Parents would do well to look at the example of Dayton & Nancy’s parenting. Annette reminded me that Nancy would tell her children that they would not be going to dances and proms. She told her children, “If your classmates or teachers try to pressure or make fun of you, then you tell them that I just will not allow you to come. I’ll be your excuse, and it is true—I won’t allow you to go!” They believed that their children should pursue a Christian education and most of them did so. Nancy also cared for other children as much as her own. Many of our young people, including my children, are very saddened by her death. She often had other parents’ children sitting with her. She had a special place in her heart for all her children, her grandchildren and anyone else’s children.

There are many other items that I could speak to, but I would like to mention one more. Nancy loved the elderly. We remember well how she moved her mother, Mae Clark, into their home for the final days of her life. Plus, she was doing the same for her aunt, Alice Clark, until her own health prevented her from doing so. Not very many people would be willing to provide this level of care for their relatives. Also, as I mentioned before, they were regularly at the nursing home tending to the residents there.

Nancy showed us a clear example of what it means to be a servant of Christ. Now, she is in the care of the One she has faithfully served.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them”  (Revelation 14:13, KJV.)

 

Obituary:
Nancy Belle Hickerson, age 65 of Shalersville, formerly of Beverly, passed away Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
She was born November 24, 1944, in Aurora, Ohio, a daughter of the late Miller "Ed" and Mae Elizabeth (Havlas) Clark. Nancy was a dedicated homemaker and served as a teacher's aide at Shalersville Elementary for many years. She was a member of the Streetsboro Church of Christ. Nancy was very creative and enjoyed crafts, flowers, and decorating cakes, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 44 years Dayton D. Hickerson. Nancy is also survived by her loving children and their families: Tim and Sherry Hickerson of Dallas, TX, Kim and Shannon Toye of Searcy, AR, Barbie and Davey Lamp of Parkersburg, WV, Denny and Kris Hickerson of Tallmadge, OH, Cindy and Jan Cisco of Delbarton, WV, Katie and Scott Stitt of Proctorville, OH; grandchildren: Angelica, Meghan, and Sarah Hickerson, Joshua, Alyssa, and Amanda Toye, Debbie, Paul, and Aaron Lamp, Logan and Hannah Hickerson, Brandi, Stacy, and Jami Cisco, Aubri, Kaela, Jerimiah, and Jairon Stitt; sisters: Margie (Louis) Gyulai of Brimfield, Naomi Shuster of Beverly, Sheri (Dave) Treadway of Lowell, Thelma (Richard) Eckert of Springdale, AR; brothers: Melvin Clark of Beverly, John (Cindy) Clark of Windham, Jerry (Julie) Clark of Beverly; aunts: Alice Clark of Ravenna, and Genevieve Webb of Colorado.
Friends will be received Friday, May 21, 2010, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, where funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Shalersville.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.