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MAIDEN, N.C. - James “Jim” Herman Hickman of Maiden passed away on September 19 at the age of 76 surrounded by the love of his family. 

Jim was born to J.B. and Annie Hickman of Whiteville on September 15, 1947.  He graduated from Whiteville High School and earned a BA from the University of North Carolina and later an MA from Winthrop University.  At UNC, Jim played on the golf team for the Tar Heels.  Jim took a break in the middle of college to serve in the US Air Force, where he worked in intelligence stationed in Turkey and Japan.  His most fond memories of the Air Force involve playing golf all over the world. 

After graduating from UNC, Jim moved to Maiden to teach at Maiden High School.  At MHS he taught a variety of social studies classes and he coached football, basketball, and golf.  He also advised the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club and took students to Washington DC many years for the Close-Up program.  In Maiden, Jim joined First Baptist Church, where he met his wife of 47 years, Mary Beth.  At First Baptist, Jim served as a Sunday School teacher for 45 years.  He was a deacon, and served faithfully on many committees over the years.  After retiring from teaching after 29 years, Jim enjoyed many years of playing in golf tournaments, traveling to visit his children and grandchildren, and serving on the North Carolina Golf Panel. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, J.B. and Annie Lee Stanley Hickman.  He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth, daughter Jamie Wilson and son-in-law Ted of Blowing Rock, son Bryan Hickman and daughter-in-law Courtney and grandchildren Ethan and Harper of Wilmington.  Four siblings and their spouses: JoAnn and Johnny Cox of Clarkton, Mary Ellen and Ray Kunza of Wilmington, Yogi and Gail Hickman of Ocean Isle Beach, and Hoss and Verette Hickman of Lake Waccamaw; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Debbie Capps of Raleigh; nieces and nephews Will Hickman, Carey Cox, Brett Hickman, Sam Hickman, Josh Capps and Joanna Watson; and many great-nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Maiden. Rev. Eddie Andrews and Rev. Courtney Hickman will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Maiden City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Maiden. 

Memorials may be sent to the Faith Fund at First Baptist Church Maiden, PO Box 338, Maiden, NC 28650; or Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.

Condolences may be sent to the Hickman family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com

Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, N.C. is serving the Hickman family.

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