Obituary of Audrey Francis Hickman

Audrey Francis DeGraw David Hickman, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Cottonwood, Arizona on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 1:30 pm. Audrey was born to George and Freda (Bahem) DeGraw on Dry Piney Creek, Sublette County, Wyoming on February 14, 1929. She grew up in the LaBarge, Wyoming area and attended school in LaBarge and Big Piney, Wyoming. She graduated from Big Piney High School. After graduation, she married Homer David. To this union there were five children. With her family, she lived in Calpet, WY, Rangely, CO, Wilson Creek, CO, Table Rock, WY and finally back to LaBarge, WY. This union ended in divorce, 1981. Audrey was always busy. She was employed as a school bus driver for many years. She owned and operated her own fabric shop and was known as a exceptional seamstress. She created lovely garments, with or without a pattern, for her family, grandchildren and many others. Audrey was known for her sweet rolls, desserts and decorated cakes. She was employed as a gas refinery worker. She started her own pilot car business. She was even employed as a guard during the construction of Exxon Black Canyon Dehy and spent the winter on the mountain in a travel trailer. She enjoyed creating, giving of her time, family events and loved to dance. Audrey met Jack Hickman and eventually they married on October 30, 1987. She then moved to Marbleton, WY. To this union she gained three adult step children and grandchildren. A happy union with many great adventures fishing, hunting, camping, snowmobiling and spending time with family and friends. In 1996 Jack and Audrey retired and became snowbird. Together they enjoyed traveling in their motorhome, making friends and having adventures at every stop along the way however they loved returning home to their Wyoming friends and family. In 2005, Jack and Audrey began spending their winters exclusively in Cottonwood, Arizona. The Verde Valley provided them with the perfect conditions to return to their love of gardening; growing vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, roses and nurturing established plants and trees back to production. Audrey is survived by her sister, Ruth DeGraw David, her two brothers, Gary DeGraw and Ross DeGraw. Her four children and three step children and spouses. Carmen David (Colleen), Zenda Thomas (Melvin), Jerry David (Elizabeth) and Glenda Lyons (James), Terry Hickman (Holly), Bill Hickman, Helen Anderson (Bob), 18 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 5 great great grand children, many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack Hickman, one infant daughter, Brenda Lou David, two brothers, Jimmy DeGraw and Melvin DeGraw, and her sister, Georgia Alfreda DeGraw Kadlecek Audrey, a petite, classy, feisty outdoorswoman who many loved and she is greatly missed by family, friends and the many people she touched throughout her life. A Celebration of Life for Audrey and Jack will be held in LaBarge, Wyoming on June 5, 2021. For those wishing to honor Audrey and Jack, please feel free to donate to any Veterans organizations, La Barge Wyoming Senior Citizens or Big Piney Wyoming Senior Citizens.