Charles Gregory (Greg) Hickman remembrance

 

On Sunday evening, March 1, 2026, Charles Gregory Hickman passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Kingsport, Tennessee. He was 65 years old. He was a lawyer, basketball aficionado and an avid Bicyclist.  His bucket list included a visit to every continent in the world.

 

“Greg” leaves behind a legacy defined by academic achievement, devotion to his family and friends, and a lifelong commitment to learning.  He was never married and had no children, but he poured his heart into loving his young nieces and nephews. His life reflected quiet strength, intellectual curiosity, and of course an unwavering love for the people that meant the most to him.  Greg loved Kingsport, Tennessee.

Greg graduated high school in 1978. He was an honor student at Dobyns Bennett High School, having been selected as a National Merit semifinalist in high school.  As a point guard, he was one of the leaders on the Dobyns Bennett High School varsity basketball team for 3 years.  He considered Coach Buck Van Huss and Coach Anthony Eckels as favorite teachers and role models. With the encouragement of Guidance Counselor Virgealia Ellis, Greg pursued a degree in economics at Wake Forest University.  Faced with a serious illness during his junior year, Greg sat out a semester and completed his degree at East Tennessee State University.

After his graduation, Greg obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

Greg put his legal education to good use.  He became a hearing officer for the State of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He worked in the Appeal Tribunal Unit for more than 20 years. He served as a Hearing Officer in Chattanooga and Johnson City. Greg was an exceptional employee ”married“ to his work. He received several performance outstanding awards.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Willie Mae Hickman; paternal grandparents, Zack and Annie Hickman; maternal grandparents, Ben and Lucille Swann; uncle, Arthur D. Hickman; aunt, Mildred; uncle Kelsie Davis; and Uncle Bennie Swann.

 

Greg was the youngest of four brothers and is survived by his brother, Varley and his family, Amiri (Donna) Dawn, Amirah Omari, Jamaal, Jamillah, Jalyn, Jayla, Jada, Noah and Journee; his brother Don (Jan) and his family GJ (Melaine) Donovan (Brittany) Brixsey Drew, Canon, Destin, Hanon, Haden, Alane (Alexander); and his brother Jim (Vanessa) and his family Maurice (Tiffany) Trevian, Kaemon and Jamie. He is also survived by his aunt Barbara Greene (Wayne Swann and Rhonda), Deidre Pettus, Sir David Pettus, David Green;  aunt Melva Hickman Cooke Mitchelle (Sabine) Patrick and Alexander Cooke, Kenny (Leidys) Cooke and Christopher Cooke; aunt Marva Swann; uncles Carl and Vernon Swan (Mary Ruth); cousins, Jewell (Percy) Keisha (Aaron)Edmond. Greg had numerous lifelong friends.  Among these are Arthur Bradley”, Jerome Pierce, George Long, Paul Horton, Ronnie Horton, Patrice Ben Abbey, Bryan Smith of Nashville, and Bryan Smith of  Arkansas.

 

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Carter-Trent Funeral Home-Kingsport.  A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel.

 

A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2:00 pm.  Those wishing to attend are asked to arrive at the cemetery by 1:50 pm.

 

Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport is serving the Hickman family.

 

“You never lose what you love if you love what you lose”

Phony reports trigger lockdown, arrests at Cora Cox Academy, Kingsport

From the Kingsport Police Department: 

 

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Cora Cox Academy was placed on lockdown after students reported seeing an individual with a weapon outside the school. 

Police responded and determined the students' statements were fabricated. The students who made the false allegations were taken into custody and charged with False Reporting.

No further information will be released at this time, and, as they are juveniles, the students' identities will not be made available to the public.

Greg Hickman announcement

 

Our hearts are saddened by the passing of Greg Hickman in Riverview.  He passed away recently at his home.

The remembrances are being finalized, but Going Home Services will be Sunday, March 8th, 2026 at the Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport, Tn 37660.

According to the funeral home, the Receiving of Friends will be from 1 to 2 PM at the funeral home, with the Going Home Service at 2 PM.

The interment will be on Monday, March 9th, 2026 at Oak Hill Memorial Park, 800 Truxton Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660.  

From the Douglass Alumni, the Sons and Daughters of Douglass, we send our condolences to the Hickman family during this difficult time.