Margaret Eureka Hickerson

Margaret Eureka Sewell Hickerson On Friday, January 1, 2021, Margaret Eureka Sewell Hickerson departed this life at the Capital Caring Health Center in Washington, D.C. Margaret Eureka Sewell Hickerson, affectionately known to her family and friends as “Billie”, was born on September 6, 1925 to the late Ralph Blaire Sewell and Mary Elizabeth Fisher Sewell. She spent her entire life in Washington, D.C, and was educated in the D.C. Public School System. After graduating from Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., Margaret began a brief career working for the federal government. In 1953, she married the love of her life, Jesse C. Hickerson. Thereafter, Billie spent almost 50 years as a homemaker and caretaker to numerous generations of children in her own family and those of close family friends. She was a treasured and dedicated wife to her late husband, Jesse, for over 45 years. During many of these years of their marriage, Jesse was an active Military Officer. At times, Billie traveled to be with her husband on some of his deployments, but at other times, she chose to remain in D.C. as a support to her mother, father and extended family members. It was during these times that she dedicated herself to caring for others. Specifically, she cared for her ailing mother throughout her many years of illness. Billie had many interests and hobbies, in addition to being a stalwart supporter of her family. She enjoyed watching football with her husband and other family members. For many years, she was an avid card player, where she loved entertaining her brother, her sisters and close family friends in friendly pinochle games, which were all accented with delicious dinners. Billie also loved her quiet time, and could often be found entertaining herself with a game of solitaire, or enjoying another one of her favorite pastimes, completing crossword puzzles. In addition to her all of these hobbies, Billie was a talented cook who lavished her family with excellent meals, sometimes seven days a week. Numerous family members will also remember her for the summers when she cared for them, while they were children. These special visits were marked with trips to playgrounds throughout Washington, D.C., annual trips to Marshal Hall Amusement Park and summer long days filled with mounds of ice cream, numerous trips to the corner store, and invented games, which she welcomed. Billie was a woman of strong conviction. She always knew her own mind and remained true to her own convictions, even until her last weeks of life. She followed her own path and led with strength, kindness and generosity. She embraced a multitude of family friends and epitomized energy and charisma. Her sense of humor was unmatched and she was always “all in” when it came time for her sisters and her to begin their yearly Christmas shopping, where these traditional excursions left no one without the perfect gift. Billie truly embraced and enjoyed an abundant life. She was often heard saying, “I’ve had a great life”. Margaret “Billie” Eureka Sewell Hickerson will forever live in the memories of those who knew her. She is predeceased by her husband, Jesse C. Hickerson; her parents, Ralph B. Sewell and Mary Elizabeth Sewell; her sisters, Ruth S. Neely and Darlene S. Oliver; her brothers, Ralph B. Sewell, Jr., Ronald B. Sewell and “Baby” James Sewell; her nieces Cheryl Neely and Rhoda Adkins. She is survived by her devoted sisters, Doris Sewell, Camille S. Spaulding (Charles) and Annette R. Spearman (James); her nephews, Michael D. Adkins, Ronald B. Sewell, Jr., and James H. Spearman, IV; her nieces, Deborah Facine (Lester); Blaire C. Spaulding, Shannon N. Spaulding, Joi C. Spaulding and Leah D. Spearman; and a host of relatives and friends.

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Margaret Eureka Hickerson

September 6, 1925 - January 1, 2021