Mary Bordeaux Hickman

Mary Jane, 73, who loved to be called "Momma" by her kids and "Grandma" by her grandkids, departed her loving family on May 18, 2021.
Anybody that knows Mary knows how much she was loved. She was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. She was blessed to find two loves and an uh-oh (Terry Grippen). She was married to Frank Bordeaux for 22 years. He went to heaven in 1995. She never thought she would love again. Little did she know that God had other plans. Mary met Allen Hickman in 1996. He fit into the family perfectly, eventually. He treats her children like his own. Mary and Allen have been married for 25 years. They have 6 children and 30 grandchildren\great grandchildren. She was the 'Queen Bee' to us all.

Mary is a graduate from Biloxi High School in 1966. She worked at Calvert Pharmacy in the soda fountain for 11 years. She loved to shop, clean, highlight catalogs, collect teddy bears, and do yard work. Mary has always been a spitfire. Mary loved to joke with family. She loved to tell her other children that Jacy is her favorite, then just giggled. She made some of the most odd creations that everyone still loves (spaghetti and chili; macaroni with tuna; cream of chicken on toast; Blueberry delight). She definitely was one of a kind. She could move furniture in the middle of the night then still have breakfast on the table the next day.

She has been a fighter her whole life. She could take on any challenge. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. She lost the fight against the disease' after at least 31 years.

She is loved by her husband, Allen Hickman; her stepmother , Eileen Whittemore; her 6 siblings, Earl Whittemore III (Mary), Thomas Whittemore, Richard Whittemore (Peggy), Marie Turan, Allison Brown (Randy), Catherine Lechtenberg; her 6 children, Angela Ulrich (Ernest), Jennifer Ravia Coon, Jennifer Bickel Harrington (Buzzy), Allen Hickman Jr. (Trish), Jacy Broussard (Mark), Austin Hickman (Leslie); her 17 grandchildren Steven Gill (Megan), Anthony Ulrich (Ginn), Stephanie Green (Thomas), Alicia Knight, Jaden Coon (Kara), Camden Coon, Robert Bickel (Tabby Kallas), Amber Bickel (Jermarious Ball), Kealey Smith (Fred), Adrian Hickman, Lilliana Hickman, Laura Hickman, Chloe Hickman, Dylan Broussard, Mia Broussard, Maggie Jo Hickman, and Ace Hickman; her 13 great-grandchildren, Tatum Gill, Teagan Gill, Leah Barhonovich, Carson Ulrich, Lillian Ulrich, Elijah Ulrich, Rowan Ulrich, Wyatt Ulrich, Bella Nuesslein, Addysyn Bickel, Audrey Bickel, Kaysleigh Bickel, Maya Smith and many nieces and nephews.

Jana Magadia is not only her niece, but has been a caregiver for the past 18 years. Kelly Marshall has been a caregiver for the past 9 years. Jana and Kelly have always been like a daughter to Mary. The family would like to thank all the caregivers, nurses, doctors, and friends for their love and support over the years.

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would never,
never leave you during your times of
trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you. Excerpt from 'Footprints in the Sand', Author unknown.

Celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the National MS Society can be made in Mary's name. Donations may be sent to 2200 Woodcrest Place, Suite 230
Birmingham, AL 35209 or made on https://www.nationalmssociety.org/.

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is serving the family.