Nellie Jane Hickman, 96, of South Charleston, passed away on Friday, December 28, 2018.

Born January 8, 1922 in Spring Hill, to Ernest and Mattie Chittum (may they rest in peace), she spent her formative years on Spring Hill Mountain during the Great Depression. Nellie was Earnest and Mattie's third child, and first daughter. She would be followed by two more daughters, and a son. The seeds of her rich Christian faith were planted on Spring Hill Mountain, and her family's financial poverty provided a vivid physical illustration of a life "poor in spirit." Like many West Virginians of that era, Nellie developed lifelong habits of frugality, amazingly coupled with generosity and self-sacrifice. Her gentle grace and unassuming humility marked a Christ-like life.

Nellie graduated from South Charleston High School in 1941. She settled with the love of her life, W. "Gail" Hickman, between the then bustling F.M.C. and Union Carbide plants on 10 ^th Avenue in South Charleston. She and Gail worked various jobs to provide not only for their children, but for several members of their large extended family. The door was always open, the table would be quickly set, and there was always a place to sleep in their tiny home.

Nellie was devoted to Jesus Christ. To learn more about Him, she immersed herself daily in Scripture. Through a neighborhood Bible study, she was introduced to the 5 ^th Avenue Church of God. She and Gail started attending 5 ^th Avenue in 1948. For over 40 years, they grew together in faith and forged many lifelong friendships there.

In 1989, after Nellie lost both Gail and her brother Howard, Nellie moved to McKinley Street in St. Albans. There, she attended Abney Street Church of God, which was pastored by her son-in-law, the Reverend Jack A.C. Lawrence (may he rest in peace). She continued to devote her life to caring for her family and spending time in God's Word.

Nellie kept a sharp mind into her mid-90s, but when age took its inevitable depravations, Nellie moved in with Jack and daughter Linda Lawrence on Forrest Circle in South Charleston in 2010. They provided loving nurture for four years. When Jack and Linda could no longer provide adequate medical care, Nellie moved to the Valley Center on Lincoln Drive, closer to her roots in Spring Hill.

Nellie's family is deeply grateful to the entire staff at the Valley Center for the loving and professional care they provided daily, particularly Bobby Tanner and Chad Price. Their kindness, good humor, and professionalism enriched Nellie's final years. And to other Valley Center staff members, who also loved and cared for Nellie, please accept our love and eternal thanks. May God Bless and Keep you all.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Abney Street Church of God, St. Albans with Pastor Steve Hewitt and Jennie Lawrence officiating. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens, Cross Lanes.

Friends may visit one hour prior to the service at the Abney Street Church of God, St. Albans.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.