Marion Lee Hickingbottom

Marion Lee Hickingbottom, M. Ed, age 96, passed away Friday March 3, 2023, at The Springs of Searcy. He was born May 24, 1926, to the late John Cannon Hickingbottom and Allie Marietta (Jarrett) Hickingbottom in Philips County, Arkansas. Marion is also preceded in death by his older siblings: Mildred Williams, Clinton, William, John Neal, and Marietta Moore.

Following his high school graduation in Marvell, AR in 1944, Marion was hired to work on the construction of the Oak Ridge, TN complex, a part of the Manhattan Project.  On receiving his invitation from Mr. Roosevelt, he served in WWII as a Pharmacist’s mate in the Navy, receiving the Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal. After his Honorable Discharge, he attended Harding College, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor Arts in Education.  From 1950, Marion Hickingbottom M.Ed would maintain an instructive or administrative role in education until his retirement in 1994.

Marion is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Barbara Nell (Grimmitt) Hickingbottom; daughter, Sandra Lynn Holland and husband Roy Lewis of Searcy; granddaughter, Kalee Elizabeth Holland and husband Jaz Schoeneck of Lincoln, NE; and five nieces and nephews.

Marion was a faithful member of West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, having been immersed as a teenager in Coffee Creek in Phillips County, committing his life to belief and obedience to the life of Jesus as Son of the Living God.

Memorial Service was Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Westside Church of Christ, 709 W Arch Ave, Searcy, AR 72143.  Inurnment will take place 11:00 a.m. May 30, 2023, at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Southern Christian Home, PO Box 649, Morrilton, AR 72110 or Children’s Homes, Inc, 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, AR 72450.

Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W Dewitt Henry Dr, Beebe, AR 72012. Online guestbook: www.smithfamilycares.com/westbrook