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In loving memory

Meador Funeral Home – Gainesville

Private Graveside Service

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Tulu Lewis Hickerson

July 12, 1926-Juanuary 12, 2021

Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

Tulu was indeed a faithful steward. Anyone who knew her has eaten at a table she prepared or helped to prepare. Anyone who knew her experienced her genuine sympathy at the loss of a loved one. She was always there with delicious food, personal comfort, and devoted prayers. Whenever possible, she “paid her respects” and expressed her love for the grieving family by attending services and sharing memories.

Tulu was born July 12, 1926, to Charley Leonard Lewis and Ethel Watson Lewis in Henrietta, Texas. She was the youngest and last survivor of her sibling group of seven, five older brothers and one older sister. She attended school in Era, TX. One year, she completed the work for two grades in one year and “skipped” a grade, graduating high school at 16 years old. In 2019, she was honored by the Era ISD as one of two of the oldest living graduates.

On March 13, 1943, Tulu married Horace Hickerson. In the early years of their marriage, they resided in the Era and Leo communities. They built their home in Gainesville in 1954, hauling soil from the family farm as the top soil for their new lawn.

The young mother of two worked in the family TV and Appliance store in downtown Gainesville. She also worked more than 20 years at TP&L and the Cooke County Electric Co-op, serving as the Home Demonstration Agent. In that role, she learned to operate the latest in small kitchen appliances and taught others throughout the county to do the same. In the 70’s, she owned one of the first microwave ovens in town and demonstrated its multiple uses. Knowing that no one was giving up traditional ovens (including herself), Tulu focused on ways microwave cooking could supplement food preparation. For, not only did the new oven result in faster cooking; it also made cooking more efficient and easier.

One of her most successful programs with the Co-op was a summer program for girls in Cooke County—a two-week course in cooking called Food Fun for Juniors. She offered three or four of these programs across the county each summer. Many women still contend that Tulu taught them to cook in these annual courses.

Tulu was a 64-year member of the Gainesville Order of Eastern Star. She also held member ship in the Soroptimist Club and the organization for Business and Professional Women. Tulu was a member of the Gainesville First Baptist Church where she was a loyal, faithful servant for 66 years.

Tulu entered the Kingdom of her Lord and the loving arms of family and friends after a courageous stand against Covid-19. At the instruction of Jesus Christ, she served Him through her faithful ministry to all. (Matthew 25)

Survivors include: Daughter, Jane Martin (Ron) of Gainesville; Sons, Hal Hickerson (Janie) of Arlington; James Glenn (Tina) of St. Albans, MO. Grandchildren: Julie McDowell, Jennifer Etheridge, Ben F. Terry, Jr., Tiffany Terry, Blake Hickerson, Cole Hickerson, Bradley Glenn, and Barry Glenn. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

A private graveside service is planned for January 19, 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hickerson College Scholarship awarded by the Masonic Lodge of Era for select high school graduates (P.O. Box186, Era, TX 76238)