Preston John Hickman, Jr.

Preston John Hickman, Jr. was born on December 19, 1970 in Wilmington, Delaware to Pamelar Yvette McCoy and Preston John Hickman, Sr. He passed on May 27, 2023 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware surrounded by his family.

Preston Hickman, lovingly known by his family as Man, received his early childhood education in the Colonial School District, Saint Catherine’s Cathedral and Conrad Middle School. He graduated from Wilmington High School, where he was known for being a BEAST on the football field. Preston was an all-star football player which earned him a spot in the Blue Gold Game. After graduation, Preston went on to attend Delaware State University and Delaware Tech Community College. Preston was currently working for the State of Delaware. He was very proud and enjoyed his job as a Youth Care Specialist at Ferris School for the last 25½ years.

Preston was a member of Manna Christian Fellowship Church.

Preston was a huge Sneaker Head and kept a fresh kick. His favorites were Air Max and Jordan sneakers. He would often bless others with fresh sneakers as well. Preston enjoyed traveling. He was so happy to take his family on vacations.

If you knew Preston, then you know Team Hickman was his everything. He was an extraordinary provider for his family. Preston could often be heard saying how much he loved his wife Tanisha, as he lovingly referred to her as sweet mama, his queen, and best friend. The love they shared after being together for 28 years and married for 19 years was very special. Tanisha lovingly called Preston Big P, which would eventually become a name that everyone called him.

Preston loved sports. The Eagles and 76ers were his favorite teams. Preston had the luxury of raising his favorite players, Preston and Paris Hickman. Big P started them off in sports when Preston was 5 and Paris was 3. Our weekends for 20+ years included practice, games, AAU sports, traveling, and more. Preston cheered and guided the boys every step of the way. Preston was so happy when he learned he was having a baby girl. She was his princess. Even at the current age of 15, Payton is still referred to by Preston as the baby. All he wanted was to see her smile and he did anything to make that happen. Preston instilled many wonderful qualities in his children such as loving the Lord, respecting your parents, helping others, having good credit and financial literacy are just a few. Then came a new addition to Team Hickman, his first grandchild, Kairo Hickman. Preston loved spending time with Kai and watching him grow! Preston also has three beautiful sisters Nikki, Nina and Derae. He also loved to spend time with them and their families.

Preston Hickman was preceded in death by his loving mother Pamelar Yvette McCoy, his father Preston John Hickman, Sr, his grandmothers Marion H. Vice and Maggie Lee McCoy, grandfather Walter C. McCoy, Sr., grandmother-in-law Barbara Lewis, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preston Hickman is survived by his wife Tanisha Hickman, two sons Preston Hickman and Paris Hickman, one daughter Payton Hickman, one grandson Kairo Hickman, three sisters Angelique (Bernard) Hickman-Hogue, Nina (Andre) Arthurs, and Derae Bordley, stepbrother Yusef Morris, mother-in-law Rebecca King, sister-in-law Tory Ashley King, brother-in-law Larry King, aunt Betty Ann Camper, uncle Reddy McCoy, ten nieces and nephews Bria, Semaj, Bryce, Breajah, Bernie, Aniyah, Drew, London, Layla, and AJ, best friend/brother Maynard Scales and a host of relatives and friends.