Jeannie Hemphill Hickman's Obituary
With saddened hearts, we announce the passing of Jeannie Graham Hemphill Hickman, 82, of Ormond Beach, Florida. She was born on May 02,1940, in Glasgow, Scotland to the late Thomas and Frances Hemphill. Jeannie passed away on March 29, 2023.
Jeannie spent her childhood with a large, happy family in Glasgow, Scotland, with siblings Robina (Rena), Thomas, Robert, Joseph, George, Francis (Frank) and Albert. As a young woman she emigrated to the United States, and met the love of her life, Ernest Hickman, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. They married and had a son, Dale Hickman. In 1972 the family moved to the Republic of Panama and worked for the U.S. Government; Ernest as an Engineer for the Panama Canal Company, and Jeannie for the U.S. Army as a Safey Specialist. She and Ernest retired to Ormond Beach, Florida.
Jeannie loved her career roles and the wonderful people she befriended along the way. She also loved to travel and meet people. Her home was always full of friends, family, food, and music. She and Ernest were known throughout the Canal Zone for their frequent fish fries and Christmas parties. When the U.S. sent troops to Panama during Operation Just Cause, she opened her doors in a war zone and held a Thanksgiving meal for dozens of U.S. combat soldiers passing through. She loved arts and crafts, was amazingly creative and enjoyed volunteering at various local charities and social groups. She had many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ernest Hickman, and son, Glen Scot Hickman.
Jeannie is survived by her son Dale Edward Hickman, his wife Sandra, and her beloved grandson Nicholas Dale Hickman of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, as well as her brother Joseph Hemphill of Glasgow, Scotland, and many nieces and nephews.
Jeannie had an amazing spirit and sense of humor, and her smile and kind heart would light up any room. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and grandmother, and we were all fortunate to have her in our lives. She will be missed and forever loved by so many.
May she rest in peace where the sun meets the loch and the heather grows on the snowy mountains. “My heart’s in the highlands, my heart is not here, My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer” (Robert Burns).
Jeannie, God Bless and hold you. We will always love you Mum.
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