Raymond Bickings

Raymond D. Bickings, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Aug.18, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 19, 1929, in McNairy, Tenn., son of Fred D. and Gladys Griswell Bickings. He and Annabel Daugherty Bickings were married on Dec. 24, 1948, in Piggott, Ark. She died on May 5, 1982.

Bickings served in the U.S. Air Force from Sept. 5, 1947, to Sept. 15, 1949. He was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 41 years. Bickings was employed by Henkels & McCoy Inc. as a line superintendent for 30 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Bickings was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Gary L. Bickings and wife Diane of Kelso, Mo., Danny R. Bickings and wife Debbie of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Cheri Ann Vance, Tina Gay Bickings, both of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Catherine Farris of Chaffee, Mo., Wanda Burns of Perkins, Mo.; three brothers, Charles Bickings of Plain Well, Mich., R.B. Bickings of House Springs, Mo., Ricky Bickings of Alto Pass, Ill.; special friend and companion Pat Lomax of Cape Girardeau; five grandsons, Jeff Bickings and wife April, Jason Bickings, all of Kelso, Mo.; Aaron Vance, Justin Bickings, Christopher Bickings, all of Cape Girardeau; three granddaughters, Amy Bickings, Annabel Griffin, both of Cape Girardeau, Courtney Campbell of Kansas City, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas Bickings, Madison Bickings and Vivian Vance.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; son Larry Bickings (deceased Sept. 19, 1972); two brothers, W.L. "Dub" Bickings and Terry Leon Bickings; and a sister, Mildred Crowden.

Friends may call at Ford & Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home today from 4 to 8 p.m.

Service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at Ford & Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mike Shupert officiating.

Burial will be at Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with full military rites by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.

Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.