Michael "Mike" Clay Hickerson, 69, of Tifton passed away Friday, March 10, 2017, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2017, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Benjy Varnell officiating. Mr. Hickerson will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, March 12, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Hollis Flanders, Del Taylor, Darrell Denham, Tommy Bargeron, Chuck Bargeron, Jeff Willis, Coleman Willis and Gary Willis will serve as pallbearers.
Born November 8, 1947 in Mobile, Alabama, Mr. Hickerson was the son of the late Harry Hickerson and Soleta Smith Hickerson. He was a retired School Superintendent and served as a Past President of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. He was a member of several Kiwanis Clubs around the state. He had an outgoing personality and loved serving his neighborhood as President of the Property Owners Association for the Orchard Sub-Division. He was a graduate of Troy State University and received post-graduate degrees from Auburn University. He was a devoted Auburn War Eagle football fan. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his four grandsons and loved attending their various activities and traveling with his wife. He also enjoyed woodworking, grilling and smoking meat for the neighbors and spending time at the barbershop with his dear friend, Hollis Flanders.
Mr. Hickerson is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kay Coleman Hickerson of Tifton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lori and Chuck Bargeron of Tifton and Amy and Gary Willis of Warner Robins; and four grandchildren, Coleman Willis, Brooks Willis, Charlie Bargeron and John Michael Bargeron.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society, Tift County Unit, 507 West Third Avenue, Suite #4, Albany, GA 31701; or the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Life Center, 950 East Paces Ferry Road, NE, Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30326.