Smokey Joe Hickerson

Smokey Joe Hickerson, 14, departed this life on Thursday,
May 4th, 2006. He was laid to rest in a private, graveside
service on the same morning.

Smokey was born in the first half of 1992 and was adopted
from the Southeast Missouri Humane Society by his parents,
Betty and Dallas Hickerson, in January 1993. He brought with him
his only worldly possession: a little doggie sweater.

He was an incessant barker who liked having either end scratched
(whether chin or butt) and, in the spirit of Will Rodgers,
never met a treat he didn't like. He enjoyed going for walks,
swimming, and riding in the car.

In return for simple food, water, and shelter, Smokey gave perfect
love and complete devotion, willing to share in the fate of his
parents (whether good or bad) and to place himself between them
and any danger.

His latter years were marked by poor health, including heart
disease, diabetes, and blindness. But, in all this, his spirit
was never diminished and his soul was more closely knit with his
parents' as his level of care increased.

Out of his strong desire to remain as guardian of his family, he
fought his final illness with mute resolution.

He is survived by his adopted parents, Betty and Dallas Hickerson,
his adopted sister, Tonya Sue Meehan, an adopted brother, Harvey
Hickerson, and a nephew, Bear Meehan, all of Sharpsburg, GA.

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