Sylvia Hickman

McKENZIE - Sylvia Hickman of McKenzie, Tenn. died on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at the age of 89. She leaves behind a lifetime of love, service, connection, and creativity. May we find comfort, knowing she is reunited with her beloved husband Gordon, finally able to resume their dance so unexpectedly interrupted in January of 2001.

Her vibrant spirit lives on through her daughter, Holly (Michele); brother, Larry (Jeanie); nieces: Gaye (Dale), Kim (Tim), Christy (Mike), and Ashley (Chris); nephews: David (Lynda) and Jeff (Jennifer); and a dearly-loved extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. She now joins her parents, Reed and Hazel Wilson, and her cherished husband, Gordon, in eternal rest.

During her 89 years, Sylvia gifted us with invaluable lessons. Chief among them: anything worth doing is worth doing well. Her unwavering faith in a God of boundless love and care served as her guiding light, nurturing not just her own soul but also enriching the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her. Sylvia's heart brimmed with an extraordinary love, respect, and compassion for every living being, recognizing the intricate connections among plants, animals, and our shared environment — a wisdom that colored her life with profound understanding and kindness.

She enjoyed many, many things. Among those were traveling the world in planes, trains, and Airstreams, zipping around in her blackberry pearl Honda Fit, painting with the Paris Academy for the Arts, milk, reading everything by Jane Austin, Mark Twain, James Herriot, and Morgan Llywelyn, singing with the FUMC chancel choir, listening to music, ushering at the Orpheum in Memphis, making and sharing good food, decorating and crafting, gardening, managing the Pet Milk regional office, turtle pecan cluster blizzards, reading every single placard in the museum, lifting others up through her work with the FUMC Care Group, all birds and animals (but especially horny toads, piglets, sheep, dogs, cats, and wrens), substitute teaching, recreational shopping, Goo-Goo Clusters, interior design shows, the St. Louis Cardinals, tomato and mayo sandwiches, most anything about the British Isles, westerns, the United Methodist Church, maple black-raspberry Vermont creemees, and air conditioning. Yet, above all, her heart belonged to her family.

A renowned distributor of deliciousness, friends and family often requested her apple pie, cherry pie, broccoli cornbread, French toast, and deviled eggs. She was always more than happy to oblige.

Sylvia's incredible life will be celebrated at McKenzie First United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 6. Friends can visit with her family beginning at noon, followed by a service led by Pastor LaTricia Trull at 1 p.m. The church, a very special place to Sylvia, is located at 16 N McTyeire St, McKenzie, Tennessee. All who knew her are most welcome. Dress comfortably and bring your favorite stories to share as we honor a life well lived.

In Sylvia's memory, donations may be made to McKenzie First United Methodist Church or in support of the critical, holistic environmental work of The Nature Conservancy. A cause very close to her heart.

Heartfelt gratitude extends to the remarkable nurses and healthcare heroes at Gentiva Hospice. Their exceptional care, compassion, and unwavering support created a serene and comforting space during Sylvia's transition to her next adventure.

Love all the Earth
Every ray of God's light
Every grain of sand or blade of grass
Every living thing
     – Leo Tolstoy +