Mrs. Ella Mae Rice Hickey, age 82 of Sparta, passed away Thursday, October 6, 2022 at her residence.

Mrs. Hickey was born August 16, 1940 to the late Ernie and Mafrie Magadalene Hensley Rice in Flag Pond, Tennessee. Ella worked for Citizens Bank of Sparta for many years and retired in 2007.  A Master Gardener, she spent hours in her gardens and hosted numerous tours and luncheons there for her fellow Garden Club members.  A member of Blue Spring Presbyterian Church since 1967, she served as an Elder, Deacon, and in numerous other capacities as needed.  Ella was active in the Findlay PTA and other civic clubs during the 1970's as well.  She absolutely adored her grandchildren and great-grandsons, and will be deeply missed by all those who loved her.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband James William "Bill" Hickey Sr. who passed away on June 22, 2022.

Ella is lovingly survived by her

Sons: James W. "Bill" Hickey, Jr. & wife Linda McCaskey Hickey, Timothy Lee Hickey & Melissa Gentry

Brother: Herman Rice & wife Marie

Nephew: Michael Rice

Grandsons: Matthew William Hickey, Mark Thomas & Rachel Hickey

Granddaughter: Brianna Hickey

Great-grandsons: Brantley Matthew Hickey, Brooks Thomas Hickey

Funeral services will be conducted 1pm Monday, October 10, 2022 at Blue Spring Presbyterian Church with burial in Blue Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church after 11am on Monday.

Matthew Hickey, Mark Hickey, David Cranford, Derrick Clemow, Jon Riley Monday and Michael Rice will serve the family as pallbearers