Sammie Virgil Hickman

Mr. Sammy Virgil Hickman, age 72, of Harriman, passed away Friday January 6, 2017 at UT Medical Center. Sammy was born at home January 30, 1944 to the late Charlie and Mae Hickman. Sammy lived with his niece, Vicky Phillips Reed and her husband, Stanley Reed. He has been in her care for more than thirty-nine years. He could be seen regularly, walking the roadways of Roane County, pushing his three wheeled bike looking for aluminum cans. Many people in Rockwood, Harriman, and Midtown came to know and love Sammy as he made his way up and down the highway, stopping in at certain business' just to say hello or to grab a quick cup of coffee. Countless times he would be picked up and given a courteous ride home by a local police officer or railroad worker or even just a friendly passerby from the community. He became a familiar face in the day to day lives of so many in this area. In his later years as his health began to fade and he could no longer make a trek out onto the roadways, many people from the community began to save up their cans and drop them off to Sammy at his home. He loved to attend worship services at Paradise Church in Rockwood. Eventually, his waning health would bring an end to his ability to attend. Sammy may have been simple of mind but he could look past the thick cloudiness of life and see the best in each of us. Touching our hearts with his gentle humor and signature smile, his sweet songs and his inquisitive questioning of things so trivial to us, but important to him. He did his best to connect to those around him and he loved to be a part of every moment. He loved without condition, he laughed without concern, and he lived the best he could. One of Sammy's family members said it best, "It's always been my belief that he made God smile!" Along with his parents, Sammy was also precede in death by three sisters: Sue Becktell, Jane Cline and Charlene Phillips. And one brother: T. L. Hickman. He is survived by four sisters: Jewel Chapman of Newport Beach, CA, Joyce Chapman of Phoenix, AZ, Norma Chapman of Garden Grove, CA and Willie Milton of Sunrise, FL. Three nieces: JoAnn Sampson, Vicky Reed and Missy Griffis all of Rockwood. One nephew: Anthony Phillips also of Rockwood. Two great nephews: Larry Williams and Bradley Williams of Harriman. And a great-great nephew: Elii Williams of Oak Ridge. Special friends: Gene and Jeri Eblen of Kingston, Martin Claiborne of Spring City, and Nick Willis of Rockwood. The family will receive friends Friday January 13, 2017 at Davis Funeral Home, Harriman from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will follow at 8:00 PM with David Barkley officiating and special speaker, Nick Willis.

Arrangements