Carl Hickerson Sr.

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Carl Bruce Hickerson Sr., 78, of Olive Branch passed away at 10:49 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 9, 1943, in Payneville, Kentucky, the son of Kenneth Bruce and Loretta Allen Hickerson. He was married on July 2, 1977, at Miller City, Illinois, to Cindy Shafer.

Carl was a riverboat pilot for 43 years and was a Navy veteran serving in Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy Hickerson; two sons, Carl Bruce Hickerson Jr. and Donald Ray Hickerson; daughter, Angela Michelle (James) Conley; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Bill (Sandy) Fleming and Charles (Judy) Fleming; two sisters, Louann Long and Brenda Johnson; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Besides his parents, Carl was preceded in death by two brothers, Wilbur and Myron Fleming.

Military honors will be accorded at 11 a.m. Saturday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois, by area veterans and the U.S. Navy.

Memorial visitation will follow until 1 p.m.

Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Lacie Betts officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes, Illinois.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit www.crainsonline.com.