Debra "Debbie" Harner Hickman

Debra Harner Hickman (“Debbie”) died peacefully on July 12, 2026, in Charlotte, NC. Born on July 31, 1937, she was the daughter of the late James Adrian Harner and Mabel Mayfield Harner.

Mrs. Hickman grew up on the Harner Family Farm in Morgantown, West Virginia and was an accomplished marksman, ballet teacher and multiple-time beauty pageant winner. She graduated from Morgantown High School and then attended West Virginia University (“WVU”). At WVU she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. After WVU, she joined her sister at Trans World Airlines in New York City where she flew internationally and later became “Miss Trans World Airlines”.

Mrs. Hickman moved to Charlotte, NC in the early 1960’s, where she became involved with the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, and more importantly, met the love of her life, Marcus T. Hickman, a local attorney and a founder of the law firm of Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman (now K&L Gates). Over the ensuing years, Debra and Marcus would support many Republican causes and candidates together. They would also give their children the “privilege” of driving all over the county installing yard signs for their favorite candidates.

Mrs. Hickman was a prominent community leader including serving as Chair of the Republican Women’s Association, as a member of the Symphony League and the Charlotte Symphony Association, as well as President of the Charlotte Country Day School Parents Association. She was named an Honorary Alumnus of Charlotte Country Day, and also served on the school’s Board of Visitors for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus T. Hickman, and her sister, Loris Joanne Barnette, and is survived by her children Julie Hickman Thompson of Alexandria, VA, Jonathan C. Hickman and his wife, Allison, of Charlotte, R. Trent Hickman and his wife, Tabitha, of New York City; her eight grandchildren, David Thompson, Blake Thompson, Gavin Thompson, Victoria Thompson, Preston Thompson, Ryan Alyse Hickman, Marcus Reed Hickman, and Haley Hickman, her brother in law Curtis “Hank” Barnette of Bethlehem, PA, and many other beloved relatives.

Mrs. Hickman's personal interests centered around her family and community service. She was a voracious reader and understood politics better than most. She took her role as the family matriarch seriously and was always available to provide valuable advice to her family, friends and others. Finally, she enjoyed being with family and friends at the Quail Hollow Club and the Hound Ears Club in the NC mountains.

The family plans to hold a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marcus and Debra Hickman Family Foundation Fund, c/o of Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202.

Hankins & Whittington is serving the family of Mrs. Hickman.