Betty Lou (Evatt) Hickox

Betty Lou (Evatt) Hickox, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, peacefully passed away on November 17, 2024, at the age of 90.  Betty was born May 10, 1934, the eighth of ten children and was a lifelong resident of Nassau County.  A devoted Christian, she was a faithful member of Yulee Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her cherished husband of 53 years, James Hickox, as well as her stepdaughter, Marie Evans.  Betty was also preceded by her parents, Bert and Edna Evatt, and her siblings, Vivian Freeman, LaVan Cardell, Lillian Ryals, Nita Wilder, Margaret Jones, Junior Evatt, and Forest Evatt.

As a young woman, Betty spent countless hours on the water with her siblings, shrimping and fishing.   In the 1950’s and 60’s, she worked at the Terminal Paper Bag Company in Yulee, Florida.  Throughout her life, Betty served her church as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and dedicated volunteer.  She was always active, enjoying hobbies such as sewing, crocheting, painting, gardening, and canning fruits and vegetables.  In her retirement, she and James cherished many summers camping in the mountains of North Carolina, where they made lasting memories with their dear friends, Shelby and Rogers Paschal, whose friendship continues with the family today.

Betty’s family was her greatest joy, and her love for them remained unwavering throughout her life.  She leaves behind her daughter, BeLinda Peeples (Robbie); two stepdaughters, Margie Hatton and Melba Hickox; a stepson, James Lee “Jimmy” Hickox (Eunice); her sister, Clara Bass; her brother, Pete Evatt; grandson, Mark Gearis; great granddaughter, Abigail Gearis; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held on November 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Green Pine Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery.