Vanessa Dale Hickman

VANESSA DALE HICKMAN, age 48, of Bel Air, died in St. Joseph Medical Center, Baltimore after a long illness on April 4, 2003. Born in Aberdeen, she was the daughter of the late Louis Albert, Sr. and Margaret Myrtle Boyden Hickman.
Vanessa affectionately known as “Nellie” graduated from Bel Air High School and then went on to attend Harford Community College where she graduated as a registered nurse. She had a genuine love for people. Her high spirit and laughter was one of a kind. She would go out of her way to help people. It was no surprise when she decided to become a nurse. She always fell in love with her patients and cared deeply about their well being. Many times her patients became her friends, she would visit and sit and talk with them on her personal time.

One of Vanessa’s biggest joys was her grandson, Jadyn. Her eyes would light up when she saw his beautiful face. She had a nickname for him. She would say Bob did this or Bob did that and the telling of the stories would cause her voice to come alive with laughter.

Ms. Hickman enjoyed cooking and gardening, especially spices. She enjoyed the fall, and started to enjoy bread making, making ribbons, door hangings and center pieces. Christmas and Halloween were special holidays for her.

Ms. Hickman is survived by one son, Terence Christopher Hickman of Bel Air; one brother, Louis Albert Hickman, Jr. of Bel Air; two sisters, Betty Jean Smith and her husband, James Smith of Joppatowne; Linda Arlene Brown and her husband Paul Brown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; one grandson, Jadyn Nicholas Hickman of Bel Air; uncles, Frank Mayo of Aberdeen; Bert Hash, Sr. of Aberdeen; aunt, Helen Morton of Richmond, Virginia; nieces, Kristin Kent White and her husband, Charles White of Parkville; Valenteen Kent, U.S. Army, Kileen, Texas; Karla De LaRosa and her husband Augustine De LaRosa of Andrews Air Force Base; Danielle Mitchell and her husband David Mitchell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Hope Carmen Davis of Virginia; Jeri Elaine Smith of Edgewood; Sharla Williams of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; nephews, Cleveland William, Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jacob Hickman of Bel Air; brothers-in-law, Wilbert F. Stanton of Abingdon; and Cleveland William, Sr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by one brother, John Boyden Stout; two sisters, Lois A. Hickman; and Faith Myrteen Stanton.

Pallbearers will be: Eric Varady, James Greene, Eric Jones, Tim Jones, Charles White, and Jacob Hickman.

Those who desire may contribute to the New Hope Baptist Church, 116 Alice Ann Street, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.