Homer Hickam's mother passes away
By Chris Welch
October 08, 2009, 10:06AM
Elsie Hickam, mother of local author Homer Hickam, passed away Wednesday at the age of 97. HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Elsie Gardener Hickam, 97, of Garden City, S.C., the mother of renowned local author Homer Hickam and featured in the book/movie "October Sky" and Hickam's subsequent memoirs, passed away on Wednesday at her home in Garden City, adjacent to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
In an e-mail to family and friends, Hickam and his wife, Linda let people know she died peacefully after a wonderful life. A family memorial and release of ashes on "her beloved beach" is planned for later in Myrtle Beach.
"Elsie was a grand lady, and did things HER way to the end. She loved being made famous in the Coalwood books and the movie and she said if she had known that was going to happen, she would have stayed 'thinner and prettier.' She had a particular love of animals and especially cats.
Her white Persian feline companions Thomasina and Tom Tom were a joy to her till the end."
She was born Elsie Gardener Lavender on June 15, 1912 in Atkin (near Gary), McDowell County, W.V. to James and Minnie Lavender. She lived for many years in Coalwood, W.V., then moved to live in Garden City, S.C.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Hickam, Sr., who died on Sept. 2, 1989. Until his retirement, Hickam was the mine superintendent of Olga Coal Company. Her brothers Kenneth, Joe, Charlie, Victor, and James Kent also preceded her in death.
Elsie was a graduate of Gary High School, class of 1930. She was active in many organizations in Coalwood including the Coalwood Community Church Methodist Women's Circle and the Olga Woman's Club. She also supported the local schools, working tirelessly to raise funds for a variety of student activities. Most of all, she loved whatever her two sons were doing and helped them with advice and counseling throughout her long and splendid life.
She was prominently featured in the memoirs written by her second son, Homer, Jr. which included "Rocket Boys," "The Coalwood Way," "Sky of Stone" and "We Are Not Afraid." Her character was played by Natalie Canerday in the film "October Sky."
Last year, she was thrilled when the Northside High School football stadium in Roanoke, Virginia, was named for her son Jim, who was the head football coach at Northside for many years.
She is survived by her sister Mary Lavender of Mount Airy, N.C., two sons, James Venable Hickam and wife Betty Laphew of Roanoke, Va., and Homer (Sonny) Hickam, Jr. and wife Linda Terry of Huntsville. She is also survived by a granddaughter, Cheyanne Hickam of Roanoke and three great grandsons, James David, Michael and Rex Hadley Morgan.
Since Elsie was a lover of all cats, memorial donations can be sent to www.forgottenfelinesff.petfinder.com or Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 4506, Huntsville, Al. 35815. Memorial services will be private. You can send online condolences to hickam@hiwaay.net.
BG, believe that Homer's EMail Address is h3hickam@hiwaay.net instead. I sent condolences earlier and heard back from him via that address. Hope this helps. Tim.
