Betty J. Hickson

IN MEMORY OF THE LATE

BETTY J. HICKSON

Celebration of the life of…

Betty Jean Hickson

On Thursday morning June 29th 2017, God dispatched His Angel to escort Betty Jean Hickson to spend eternal life with Him in Heaven.

Betty Jean Lewis, the only child of Geraldine and Samuel, was born on October 11th, 1934 in Daytona Beach, Florida. At an early age, Betty was baptized at the Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church and later joined the Campbell Street Baptist Church, both located in Daytona Beach. While living in Florida throughout her youth, she was a distinguished student who received her initial education within the Campbell School System. After graduation, she relocated to New York City where she married the love of her life Samuel Hickson Jr. aka “BB” ; who preceded her in death. In 1959, Samuel and Betty moved to Wyandanch, New York and shortly thereafter joined Hollywood Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. Andy C, Lewter, Sr. and currently under Bishop Andy C. Lewter. From their marriage two daughters were born, Geraldine(Gerri) and Shawna, with the latter also preceding her in death.

Throughout Betty’s adult life her passion was education. Before relocating to Long Island, Betty worked for the Minisink City Mission Society of New York from 1956 to 1963. Their primary purpose was to educate, train, nurture the youth and shape them to be effective students in their schools and communities. Knowing how effective she was helping young pupils in the mission society, Betty slowly began her career change towards higher education. During her transition from Minisink, Betty was employed as the secretary of H. Lee Denison, the first elected Executive of Suffolk County from 1965-1968. Later in 1968, she began her career with the New York City Public School System as a secretary at P.S. 9. While working during the day, she attended Baruch College full time in the evenings and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree. With her degree, she began her career as a full-time business teacher at Francis Lewis High School in Fresh Meadows, Queens. With the same passion and zeal as her first achievement, she continued to expand her knowledge and credentials by attending C.W Post University at night where she earned her Masters Degree in Business Education.

Betty had many hidden talents and enjoyable hobbies including but not limited to: singing, playing the piano, arts & crafts, and following basketball ; always making sure to watch any game that had her favorite player, Lebron James. She enjoyed Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and the “One Arm Bandit”. Also, Betty was a frequent traveler who loved seeing new places and experiencing the world at any chance she could; a trait that would be passed down to her children and her only grandchild Gary, who started travel journeys with her at age 3. She was a lifetime member of the NAACP, a former member of the Wyandanch Civic Association, her school district’s PTA, and held memberships in several senior centers in Copiague, Massapequa, and Huntington throughout her years. Betty also worked untiringly for years at her church Hollywood Baptist, that she loved dearly. Her involvement and positions in Hollywood included: B.Y.U President, President of the Christian Education Department, The Brick to Brick Campaign , Vacation Bible School Teacher, Assistant Director of the “The Little Red School, Serving on the Scholarship Committee and was the Church Membership Secretary. She was also the Executive

Assistant to Pastor Andy C. Lewter, Sr. while he served as Overseer in the Full Gospel Long Island Region.

Lovingly submitted by her daughter and grandson…..

Gerri and Gary Cobbs

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