Obituaries

Dr. Glenn Hickey

Photo of Dr. Glenn Hickey
DR. GLENN HICKEY, age 82, of Little Rock, Ark., passed into the light and grace of Jesus, on Feb. 21, 2013. He is survived by his wife Virginia Atkinson Hickey, of Little Rock, his son Daniel Hickey, his daughter- in-law Maria Sousa, his stepson Mike Atkinson, daughter in law Sheila Atkinson, stepdaughter Annette Atkinson- Haynes, and son-in-law Steve Haynes, grandchildren Nathan Hickey, Claire Hakan-Hickey and Madeleine Hakan-Hickey, his sister Glenna Lybrand and brother-in-law Bob Lybrand of Mt Ida, Ark., nephew Mike Lybrand of Hot Springs and niece Brenda Senseman of St Louis, Mo. He also is survived by Martha Thomas, niece and Larry Thomerson, nephew, of Gurdon, Ark. Glenn Hickey was raised in Oden and Mt Ida, Ark., and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1950, where he was very active in a barbershop quartet and met Dorothy Thomerson, to whom he was happily married for nearly 60 years. Dr. Hickey was called to the ministry in 1952 and was faithful to that call and was celebrating his 60 year. He delighted in preaching and relished opportunities up until just a few weeks ago. Dr. Hickey's life was marked by transcending religious and cultural boundaries. Appointed a Southern Baptist C. missionary to Recife, Brazil with Dorothy in 1964, he quickly learned Portuguese, and adapted well to the adventurous Mission life. He enjoyed many years of teaching and formation for young ministers at North Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was a perennial favorite among students. He became Pastor of Igreja Central da Ibura where his ministry flourished, baptizing hundreds who affectionately call him "Meu Pastor." He was not content with the traditional roles of a Missionary; Glenn became a ham Radio operator, which became a powerful tool to connect Brazilian families with their loved ones abroad. He served as president of the Board of Directors of the American School of Recife. His spirit loved adventures, so he took his son Daniel and friends on daring bicycle adventures into the interior of Northeast Brazil. He toured parts of Europe, Ireland and the USA, all on the saddle of his bicycle. After the Brazil years, He served the people of Calvary Baptist Church in Batesville, Arkansas. He enjoyed wonderful years of communion with the people of Batesville, along with Dorothy. In Little Rock He is remembered most fondly as the Director of Missions for Pulaski Association, where his creative mission ideas and mission trips energized local churches. He cared courageously for Dorothy Hickey, who after a long battle with Alzheimer's, passed away in 2010. This would be an incomplete story without the Virginia Atkinson chapter. In 2011 Glenn courted and married "Mrs. A," who gave him many days of enlivened spiritual companionship. He was very blessed by her extended family. It is impossible to describe the essence of Dr. Glenn Hickey without using the words optimistic, sweet, humble, wise, funny, elegant, and adventurous. He profoundly understood and lived the solution to the human problem, that to serve others is the surest way to joy. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. Interment will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published February 24, 2013

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