Rupert Hickman: Loris

1938 – 2016

    Rupert Hickman of Loris passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at McLeod Loris hospital following a sudden illness. He was 78.
    Mr. Hickman was born June 3, 1938 in Tabor City. He was the son of the late William Jesse Hickman and the late Letha Eugenia Stanley Hickman.
    Mr. Hickman graduated with honors from Finklea High School and was a quarterback for the Finklea High School football team.
     Mr. Hickman received his undergraduate degree from Benedict College and his Master’s Degree from North Carolina Central University. After college, he taught at Watson Elementary School and Conway Middle Schools until his retirement. He was an agricultural business man his entire life.
    He was a man of civic passions and talent. He was an active force during the civil rights movement in the late 1960’s as well as a published poet, photographer and songwriter.
    Mr. Hickman received recognition from the South Carolina House of Representative and the South Carolina Senate for his outstanding community service. He received an award from the Concerned Citizens for outstanding service and contribution to his community and county, and an award from the Senior Citizens of Horry County for loyal service and dedication.
    Mr. Hickman was an active member of the National Education Association, South Carolina Education Association, and was president and vice president of the Horry County Education Association Retired.
    He was chairperson of the credential committee for the Horry County Democratic Party and a National Delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 2008. He was an active and life-long member of Flag Patch Missionary Baptist Church. He spent countless hours tending the yard and beautiful flower garden, but he will be most remembered as a loving husband, father and brother.
     Mr. Hickman is survived by his wife, Doris Jacqueline Potter-Hickman of the home; his son, Ruppert Hickman II, of Greenwich, Connecticut; his daughter, Trasha Nicole “Niki” Hickman of Columbia; two brothers, Rev. Donnie Lee Hickman and wife, Gertha, William Jesse Hickman Jr., and wife, Jane Ellen, all of Loris; a brother-in-law, James Earl Potter; sisters-in-law Lois Potter Barber, Dott Potter Melton and husband, James, Yvonne Potter Lee, Janice Potter Burks, Nettie Potter Scott, and husband, Elisa, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Vanessa Potter Wynne, and husband, Darryl all of Dothan, Alabama; two aunts, Gracie Stanley of Conway and Ethel Claridy of Nakina; and a host of other relatives, friends and students.
     In addition to his parents, Mr. Hickman was predeceased by one brother, James M. Hickman.
     Funeral services were held 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10 at the Flag Patch Missionary Baptist Church with committal services following at Flag Patch Church Cemetery.
    A guest register is available here.