Jo Ann Hickam

Jo Ann Scott Hickam, age 86, of Olathe, Ks, died December 31st, at home surrounded by family.

Jo Ann was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma to Wyatt and Gertrude Scott on April 4, 1931. She lived with her parents and two siblings, Delphia and David in Holdenville, OK. through second grade. The family moved to Texarkana until her senior year, when the family relocated to Kansas City, Mo. Jo Ann graduated from Northeast High School in 1948. She met and married her life mate, Robert (Bob) Lee Hickam, in 1949. She lived with her parents in Minnesota and then her in-laws in Wichita during the two terms of duty when Bob served first in the Navy and later in the Air Force. The couple resided in Independence, Mo. and later moved to Olathe, Ks. Family was the center of their lives and they became the parents of 2 sons, Robert and Scott, and a daughter, Rebecca.

Initially Jo Ann was a full-time homemaker, raising her young children and caring for her parents. She later worked as a secretary with Johnson County Mental Health Center, where she retired after 12 years. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking. She loved being a grandparent, going to the lake with family and friends, getting together with retired co-workers in the Dinosaur Club, Bunko parties, board games and cards. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and blessed to have developed a special friendship with Renee Wiebe through the Stephens Ministry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert Lee Hickam, great grandfather, Thompson P. Hickam, and sister, Delphia Campbell of Texarkana, Tx.

She is survived by her children and families: Robert Kirk Hickam (Terri) of Kansas City, Mo. , Michael Scott Hickam (Christine) of Prosper, Texas, and Rebecca Iveson of Olathe, Ks.; 6 grandchildren (Jason Hickam [Kelly], Ryan Hickam, Erin [ Michael] Kenny , Nicholas Hickam, Korynn Iveson and Morgan Iveson), and 2 great-grandchildren (Peyton and Aria) . She is also survived by her brother, David Johnson of Broken Arrow, OK, brother-in-law and spouse- Terry and Glenda Millsap of Independence, Mo.

Contributions in JoAnn's memory can be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America and Crossroads Hospice.

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