Bessie Marie Devaul Hickenbottom, age 96, of St. Clairsville, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at Forest Hill Nursing Home, St. Clairsville. She was born July 3, 1907 at St. Clairsville, Ohio, daughter of the late Simon and Altisha Ault Devaul.

Bessie was a former employee of Simpson?s Hatchery and Martini?s Restaurant both in St. Clairsville and she was a member of the First Christian Church at Flushing, Ohio.

In addition to her parents, Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, William George Hickenbottom; a son, Alvin L. Hickenbottom; three brothers, Albert, John and Fred Devaul; and two sisters, Isabelle and Hazel.

Surviving are a son, Ernest E. Hickenbottom and his wife Sally of St. Clairsville; daughter-in-law, Betty Hickenbottom of Aurora, Colorado; four grandchildren, Debbie (Doug) Schroeder of Colorado, Barbara (David) Stewart of Singapore, Karen Hatley of Texas and Steve (Melinda) Hickenbottom of Hilliard, Ohio; and seven great grandchildren, Malisa (Kevin) Denke and Samantha Schroeder both of Colorado, Brittney Beckett, Brianna Beckett and Haley Hickenbottom all of Hilliard, Ohio, Jacob Stewart and Ethan Stewart both of Singapore and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville, where services will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 11 a.m., with Evangelist Earl Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, P. O. Box 13, Flushing, Ohio 43977.