Sylvia Hickman 1944-2023
Sylvia Hickman, 79-year-old former resident of Woodward and Ponca City, Okla., passed away Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Holton.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the First Baptist Church of Woodward with the Rev. Steve Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Fargo Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home.
Sylvia (Rosendale) Hickman was born on Jan. 21, 1944, in Shattuck, Okla., to Keith and Helen (Smalling) Rosendale. Sylvia grew up in Woodward and graduated from Ft. Supply High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Wichita State University and her master’s degree in education from Emporia State University.
She was united in marriage to Gary Lee Hickman on June 19, 1962, at the Church of Christ in Woodward, Okla. They made their first home in Ft. Supply, Okla. They lived in different places, including Artesia, N.M., Gage, Okla., Hugoton, Okla., Weatherford, Okla., West Lafayette, Ind., Clearwater, Wichita, Holton, and Ponca City, Okla.
Sylvia loved being a teacher, sister, mom, wife and grandmother. She dedicated most of her life to children in a variety of teaching jobs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, space programs and many other organizations focused on the betterment of children. She loved playing cards, gardening, any kind of craft project, cake decorating, playing with her pets and enjoying sunsets on her deck. She loved traveling and seeing new things and imparting everything she learned and saw to all the children in her life.
A tireless supporter of her kids’ and grandkids’ sports and school life, always at the game or school event and providing support in any way that she could. Quick with a smile and words of encouragement just when it was most needed. And above all, ensuring that every child that crossed her path would be able to read. A blessing in the life of everyone she touched, and she will be dearly missed.
She is survived by two sons, Brian Lee Hickman and wife Lisa of Holton and Christopher Wayne Hickman; a daughter, Donda Sue Hickman; five grandchildren, Forrestal Rede and Kari Marie Hickman, Calista Irene (Hickman) Walker and Reginald Ngozi Walker, Danika Janae Hickman, Wyatt Keith Hickman and Brody Levi Hickman; two great-grandchildren, Neziah Kingston Walker and Havon Sky Walker; sister Patty Parker; brother Claud Rosendale; and other relatives and friends.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gary Hickman, and sisters Lena Young, Betty Semmel, and Clara Hall.
Remembrances may be shared online at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
