Mrs. Mary Bell Hickman

Mrs. Mary Bell Hickman of Tampa, FL passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024. Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610 with Pastor Dr. Florence Parra, By the Grace of God Church, Officiating.

Mary Bell Hickman was born on March 17, 1931, to the late James W. Mansion and Mary Jackson of Eufaula, Alabama.  Mary was raised by her uncle and aunt Alay Shaw and Lizzy Bowen in Eufaula, Alabama.

Mary Bell Hickman moved to Tampa Bay at the age of 17. Mary met and married Arthur Hickman Sr. They resided at 320 W. Amelia, Tampa, Florida for more than 50 years. Mary was a loyal and dedicated wife to her husband, Arthur Hickman Sr., who preceded her in life on September 14, 2002. Mary was also a dedicated and loving mother of 8 children.

Mary Bell Hickman received Christ at an early age and was both a member and faithful servant of Christ United Methodist Church of Tampa, Florida for more than 50 years. Her favorite scripture was John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.  She enjoyed serving as the head of the Hospitality Ministry at Christ United Methodist Church, where she hosted and served fellowship dinners in the church's annex. Mary took great pleasure in cooking for the church, family, friends, weddings, and parties. She was known for her sweet potato pies. Her favorite pastimes were reading her bible, listening to gospel music, and watching cowboy movies. She was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football Team's #1 Fan. She also worked as a private housekeeper for many years at the Ecenia family home.

She was truly loved as a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend.

Mary Bell Hickman was preceded in death by: her four brothers, James Westley Mansion Jr., Willie Jackson, Charlie Jackson, and Akbar Jackson; two sisters, Louise Jackson and Carrie Lee Jackson; and son-in-law, Charles Cabrera.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories: her 8 surviving children, Roy Lee Cobbins (Sarah), Debra Cabrera (Charles-deceased), Arthur Hickman Jr. (Jillian), Mary F. Hickman, Chris Hickman (Carol), Phillip Hickman (Reanata), Lysa Hickman, and Lave Hickman; 13 surviving grandchildren, Renee, Christina, Cedric, Phillip Jr., Arthur, Carnisha, Thomas, Dominique, Moriam, Lamard, Chris Jr., Jamel, and Chrishana; a host of great and great-great-grandchildren; 5 sisters, Ruth Calloway, of New Jersey, Ethel Hayes (Albert-deceased), Mattie White (Charles-deceased), Eva Brown (Lonnie-deceased), and  Sally Redding (Joe); brother, James Jackson (Ida) of Tampa, Florida; and dear friend, Tandy Ecenia of Tampa, Florida.

 Exodus 15:2: "The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him". 

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners. www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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