Ruth Waddell Hickman

          WADESBORO - On Saturday, October 14, 2023, Mrs. Ruth Waddell Hickman, 100, peacefully completed her journey to be with her Lord and Savior in the company of her son and daughter-in-law, at Hospice Haven in Rockingham.

            Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Brown Creek Baptist Church with a viewing from 2:30 - 3:00 pm. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

            She will lie in repose at the church one hour prior to the service for those wishing to pay their respects.

            Mary Ruth Waddell was born January 1, 1923, in the Brown Creek Community of Wadesboro and was a daughter of the late Fred Lee Waddell and the late Annie Gertrude Heavener Waddell. She graduated from the first Wadesboro High School class to have twelve grades in 1940.

            Ruth married Albert Hunter Hickman in 1943, who was serving in the United States Army. Throughout their marriage, they lived in various states due to Albert’s military service and Ruth worked in several administrative positions where they were stationed.

            She worked locally in her early years for Mr. Hal Little at Anson Manufacturing Company which later became Little Cotton Manufacturing Company. She worked in a “one girl” office of Superintendent V.W. Lewis, Wadesboro City Schools, being responsible for payroll, bus duty, cafeteria cashier and secretary, to name a few.

            Following Albert’s military service, they lived in Delaware until returning to Wadesboro in 1966. It was then Ruth returned to work with Little Cotton, retiring in 1988, from what was then Charles Craft. In the fall of 1988, Ruth began working with Anson Community College, now South Piedmont Community College, retiring as a Dropout Retention Specialist.

Ruth lived a very energetic life and shared her strong faith with everyone she encountered. She was an active and longtime member of Brown Creek Baptist Church, Woodmen of the World for more than 50 years, the Red Cross, Anson County Hospital Auxiliary, having served as President, Wadesboro Civitan Club, Anson Writer’s Club and assisted with the production of two plays- Sneedsborough: A Ripple in River and Bridges out of Poverty.  She was named an “Ageless Hero” by Blue Cross Blue Shield for her volunteer work in the community.

            She was an avid sewer, reader, and tenacious storyteller, with a strong belief that one should be creative and use what you have been gifted. In her free time, she taught adult literacy classes and visited local nursing homes, graciously sharing her gifts and ministry by providing lap blankets, walker caddies and wall hangings. Behind her infectious smile, bright blue eyes, and fragile body of recent years was a woman that has known heartache, loneliness, and loss, few can fathom let alone survive. But rather than self-pity or anger, what you saw in Ruth was a women tempered by the fires of life’s challenges, moving forward with unyielding Christian faith to serve others.

            Among Ruth’s greatest achievements and interests was that of being a wife, mother, grandmother, family member and friend.

            Those left to cherish her memory are her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Dana Hickman of Cumming, GA; her grandchildren, Hunter Hickman, and Kensley Hickman, both of whom she was most proud, and her nieces, nephews, and their families, as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

            In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Hunter Hickman, an infant daughter, a son, Albert Hunter Hickman, Jr. and her sister and brothers, Addie Lee Waddell, Herman Waddell and Fred Waddell, Jr.

            Ruth’s family is most grateful for her dedicated in-home caregivers, Anson Community Hospice and Richmond County Hospice, family and friends in the Brown Creek Community and her church family for all of the love and care shown to her throughout the years.  Her journey is testament to “Well done my good and faithful servant” as she lived the life given to her for God and His glory.

            In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial be made to either, Brown Creek Baptist Church, 4210 NC 742 N, Wadesboro, NC 28170; Anson Community Hospice a Division of Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N US 1 HWY, Rockingham, NC 28170; Anson Writer’s Club, P.O. Box 363, Wadesboro, NC 28170 or Friends of the Hampton B. Allen Library, 120 S Greene St, Wadesboro, NC 28170.

            The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com.