Leo Montgomery Hickman

Leo Montgomery Hickman, known to most as "Gumbo", passed away at his home Sunday evening, surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 10, 1955 in Biloxi, the son of Leo C. and Janie Elizabeth (Mills) Hickman. He grew up in the Saucier area, enjoying baseball, riding horses and dirt bikes. From an early age, Leo was exceptionally fond of his grandmother's gumbo, always asking her to make some and devouring as much as he could hold. He loved the stuff so much that his family started calling him "Gumbo". The name stuck and most everyone knows him as Gumbo today. He enjoyed horse shows and racing dirt bikes in his younger years and later in life, playing golf or fishing was his things, when he had time of course. But above all and throughout his life, he enjoyed reading and studying his Bible the most. Gumbo had a great sense of humor and loved to make others laugh and feel good by picking on them and joking around. He was a kind, loving man that enjoyed working in his shop, building things for those he cared about. He also enjoyed cooking, but he referred to it as "building" whatever dish he was preparing. A loving father, grandfather and trusted friend, his picking and laughing will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all whose life he touched. He was preceded by his parents, Leo C. and Janie Hickman; his brother Mitchell Hickman, and grandsons Caleb and Joseph Hickman. Left to cherish his memories are: his children, daughters Darinda (Jamie) Parker of Perk, Meredith (James) Earlywine of Saucier, Carrie (Phillip) Bond, Ashley Hickman (Nick Hinton), and Jessica Myers, all of Gulfport; sons, Justin (Angel) Hickman and Daniel Hickman, both of Gulfport, and Austin (Marissa) Hickman of Saucier; his former wife and close friend for many years, Vicky Hickman; a sister Renee (Brad) LaRonge; and his step-father Gary Clark. Gumbo leaves a legacy of nine grandchildren with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he adored as his own, with untold numbers of friends scattered across South MS over the years. The family has set a service for Gumbo Wednesday evening, 6:00 PM at Full Gospel Mission Church where he attended. He will be laid to rest Thursday afternoon at Rouse Cemetery in Saucier. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Hickman family in their time of need and asks everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers over this difficult time.