Lester Andrews McCulley

Notes:

Died:
Ben Andrew Hickman, age 86 of Middlesboro, Ky. Died at MARH on Sunday December 4th, 2016 at 11:00 am. Those that precede him in death, father Charles Albert Hickman, Mother Essie Maude Estep Hickman, brothers Harry & Jerry Hickman, sisters Diane Haley, Helen Haley, Shirley Stone, father-in-law Lester McCulley, Mother-in-law Mildred Ridings McCulley Hampton, brother-in-law Lester McCulley.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty June McCulley, one daughter Vicki (Virgil Jr.) Emmett, two sons, Chris (Cathy) Hickman, Benny (Amber) Hickman. Grandchildren Justin (Jennifer) Emmett, Adam (Amber) Emmett, Leslie (Ralph) Emmett, Emily (Josh) Ayers, William Hickman, Christine Hickman, Benjamin (Amy) Hickman, Megan Hickman. Great Grandchildren Keylee, Amelia, Ty Emmett, Victoria Haley, Amirah Emmett, Kaprice Rogers, Suzie Rich, Brodie Lee, Baylee Hickman, Step Grandchildren- Taylyn, Peyton Ayers, Tori, Aubrey Fuson. Two sisters Margaret Perry, Pat Hickman of Louisville, Ky. Two sister in laws Shirley (Monroe) Pickett of Ashland, Ky, Linda (Johnny) Essary of Middlesboro, Ky. Many cousins, nieces & nephews and friends.

He was member of Binghamtown Baptist Church. Mayor of Middlesboro for 17 years he worked hard for his city. He owned and operated Hickman Building Supplies 58 years. He developed the South Woods in Middlesboro and Woodland Hills in Pineville. He was President of Ferndale Apartments. Ben served in the Korean War: 1st Division, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines where he earned many medals including: A Bronze Star with Combat V attachment for Valor in Combat, three purple hearts, National Defense Service Medal, Wharang Medal by South Korea, United Nations Service Medal, as well as the Korean War Service Medal. Semper Fi!

He was a man that knew, all he had belonged to God. He always smiled and pointed up to the heavens saying “He has really blessed me!”. He loved God, he loved his family who he took care of, he loved his city and he served his country. He was a man with a big heart he has helped so many people and gave so much back. He will be loved forever and sadly missed by many. There will never be anyone like him…..

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 8, 2016, at the Binghamtown Baptist Church with Dr. William Boyd Bingham officiating.

Entombment services will follow in the Green Hills Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Benjamin, William Hickman, Justin, Adam Emmett, Allan Perry, Todd Haley, & Mark Stone. Honorary Pallbearers Ronald Reece, Billy Jones, Charles Sharpe, Ancil Redmond & Employees of Hickman Building Supplies.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at the Binghamtown Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Binghamtown Baptist church, and Gateway Christian School. Donate to any person in need or any family member in need, just as Ben would have done.

Online condolences and guestbook are available at www.creechfh.com.
Creech Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is in charge of all arrangements.

Buried:
GRid=13376626

Lester married Mildred Ridings on 18 Feb 1933 in Bell Co, KY. Mildred (daughter of Andrew Johnson Ridings and Dora Jane Hopper) was born on 20 Jul 1917 in Claiborne Co, TN; died on 8 Sep 1993 in KY; was buried in Claiborne Co, TN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Preceded in death by father Lester McCulley Sr., mother Mildred Riddings McCulley Hampton, step father Willis Hampton, brother Lester McCulley Jr., father-in-law Charles Albert Hickman, mother-in-law Essie Maude Estep, and her husband of 63 years Benjamin Andrew Hickman.

She is survived by one daughter Vicki (Virgil Jr) Emmett, two sons Chris (Cathy) Hickman, and Benny (Amber) Hickman.

Grand Children: Justin (Jennifer) Emmett, Adam (Amber) Emmett, Leslie (Ralph) Emmett, Emily (Josh) Ayers, William Hickman, Christine (Steven) Byrd, Benjamin (Amy) Hickman, Megan Hickman. Step Grandson Mike Emmett.

Great Grandchildren: Keylee, Amelia, Ty Emmett. Victoria, Haley, Amirah Emmett. Kaprice Rodgers, Suzie Rich, Brody Lee, Bailey Hickman,. Step Grandchildren Toria, Aubrey Fuson.

Two sisters: Shirley Monroe Pickett of Ashland, KY. Linda (Johnny) Essary of Middlesboro, Ky. Three Sister-in-laws Barbara McCulley of Fredricksburg, VA. Margaret Perry & Pat Hickman both of Louisville, Ky. Caregiver of 7 years Melissa Collins. Many cousins, nieces, nephews & friends.

She was a member of Binghamtown Baptist Church where she attended until her bad health. She graduated from Middlesboro High School and attended business school. She had worked at Berrans clothing & Hickmans Bath & Kitchen Center. But her most important job was being the best Christian wife, mother & grandmother anybody could ask for.
She was raised in Fonde and was so proud to be a "Coal Miners daughter". She always kept you smiling and laughing at the stories she would tell and the things she would do.
She was a beauty she won many beauty pageants. She loved her hair fixed, her nails polished, her make-up on, and pretty clothes. My Dad would always say "She's as pretty as the first day I met her"!

She loved music and had a beautiful voice. She sung in church ever since she was a little girl. She had played the piano & organ in many churches.

Buried:
GRid=178489152

Family/Spouse: Benjamin Andrew Hickman. Benjamin was born on 5 Oct 1930; died on 4 Dec 2016 in Bell Co, KY; was buried in Bell Co, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
GRid=41876697

Family/Spouse: Johnny M Essary. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]