of Corona Del Mar, CA
January 19, 1934 - December 7, 2023
Georgia Winters Hickingbotham slipped quietly into the presence of her Lord and Savior on December 7, 2023 in Newport Beach, CA. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on January 19, 1934 to George Edward Winters, Jr. and Lillian Karns Winters. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Walter B. Winters.
Georgia is survived by her loving husband of almost fifty years, Frank Hickingbotham. She is also survived by her sons, Herren (Susan) and Todd (Shana) and granddaughter, Hayden Hickingbotham (Fiancé, Jack Easby-Smith); Grandsons, Frank Todd Hickingbotham II, Hunter Hickingbotham, Christian Hickingbotham and Harrison Hickingbotham. She is also survived by her nephews, Ray Hickingbotham (Kim), Carrollton, TX, Barry Hickingbotham (Lisa), Jacksonville, AR, Jason Winters (Sara) Dana Point, CA, William Doyle, Jacksonville, AR and niece, Julie Winters Davis (Reuben) McKinney, TX; Sister-In Law, Gail Hickingbotham, Jacksonville, AR. She is also survived by several great nephews, great nieces and special friend and assistant, Daniel Paleczny.
Upon graduation from Little Rock High School (now Little Rock Central) she began her first job, in a long and tremendously successful business career, working with the Quapaw Area Boys Scouts. She later worked with the Pulaski County Prosecutor's Office before beginning her career in banking. In I957, she became the second employee in the newly formed First American National Bank in North Little, AR. Georgia worked in various capacities in the bank and later was elected as a vice president for the bank. At that time, she was the second woman in Arkansas elected as an officer in a bank. When the Interstate 30 Bridge, crossing the Arkansas River, had the ribbon cutting, she was chosen to represent the city of North Little Rock by cutting the ribbon. She served as an advisor to the Hickingbotham Bank Group.
Georgia was a Co-Founder of TCBY Frozen Yogurt along with Frank, Herren, Todd Hickingbotham and Walt Winters. It was she that found the frozen yogurt in a Neiman Marcus store in Dallas and convinced a reluctant Frank to try a sample of the yogurt that led TCBY to become the largest frozen yogurt chain of stores in the world. She designed the layout of the stores on the back of a paper sack and chose all of the furniture, fixtures and accessories. Her design won a first-place award by the National Restaurant Association as Number One in America. She insisted that every individual store around the world must have fresh cut flowers on every table in the store every day.
One of Georgia's greatest joys was her association with the girls who lived in Georgia Hickingbotham Hall at Ouachita Baptist University. It was her desire that the dorm be their ''Real Home Away From Home''. She engaged directly with the girls by providing events, entertainment, special gifts, parties and a formal Christmas Banquet, with all of the festivities of the Christmas Holiday. She read and saved every piece of correspondence she received from her girls. The Girls loved Mrs. Georgia and chose to name themselves ''Georgia Girls''.
Nothing, except her Faith in her Lord, was more important to Georgia than her family. All of her family had an open door to visit her and Frank in their home in CA. Whether it was a ballgame, trip to Disneyland, visits to Hollywood or Los Angeles, or the many theatrical plays, or the sandy beaches, it was constant fun and happy memories. Georgia is greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services will be 10:00am on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in the Chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 North Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Arkansas (501) 376-3071. Memorials may be made to ''Georgia Girls'' at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St. Arkadelphia, AR 71998.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 15012248300.
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20 Condolence(s)
Susan and Alan Padgett
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Your family has always been so very kind to us. We are very sorry for your loss.
Will and Teresa Creasman
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Mrs. Hickingbotham was kind and warm throughout the TCBY journey, and the TCBY family - now long dispersed - will remember her fondly.
Joe OBrien
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
A lovely tribute to a kind lady. The daily fresh flowers in TCBY stores world wide were a tribute to her vision. With respect to the family.
Tiffany De La Cruz (Kennedy)
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
A truly remarkable, kind, and generous woman. Praying for your peace and comfort.
Don and Wanda Barrow
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Our prayers are with you during this sad time
May Gods love and peace give you comfort
Doyle and Judy Herndon
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Judy and I are so pleased to have been a part of the TCBY family. We only have good memories of the time that we worked together. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your families as you come together to celebrate the life of Georgia. She was a great lady who blessed the lives of so many people. We pray that God will give you peace and comfort during this time.
Ginney Pumphrey
Monday, December 11, 2023
Mr H, I am so sorry for your loss. You and all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy Knoernschild
Monday, December 11, 2023
Mr. H, I am so sorry to hear of your lovely wife's passing. Many years have passed since I worked with you in the TCBY Building, yet I still remember how special Christmas was there. Thank you for the treasure of your friendship. May God give you strength for each passing day ahead. Sandy Knoernschild
Herbert Martin
Monday, December 11, 2023
So sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for you all.
Derek Rudkin
Monday, December 11, 2023
To the entire Hickingbotham family, I am so sorry for your loss. I find it amazing to read the list of Ms. Georgia's family members and think about the joy they must have given her.
Jim and Mary Remmel Wohlleb
Monday, December 11, 2023
We wish Georgia's family peace in her passing and sustainuing sense of her spirit. Her life and faith blessed so many around and beyond her--for which we share much appreciation and admiration.
Dr. Joe and Virginia Flynn
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Georgia was my childhood friend Walt’s sister since we grew up in Hillcrest together. She tolerated our antics and was always a true love for me. Once grownup, I found her gracious, encouraging and supportive. I will miss her. Joe W Crow
Juddy & Barbara Tolson
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Being the first franchisee for "TCBY" I had the pleasure of being around Georgia on numerous occasions. She was a classy and wonderful lady and always had kind words to say. And Yes, she did require our store to always be clean and have fresh flowers on every table daily! She will greatly be missed.
Juddy & Barbara Tolson
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Being the first franchisee of "TCBY", I met Georgia on numerous occasions.
Susie Seago Garrett
Sunday, December 10, 2023
May you all feel the Love and Peace surrounding you from our Heavenly Father.
Sonya Hodge
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Your family has always been special to my heart. I’m praying for you during this sad time.
Danny Paleczny
Saturday, December 9, 2023
I feel so blessed to have been apart of her life.My lost of her friendship is heavens gain.Georgia will truly be missed and always be loved.
Jim&Lisa Fink
Saturday, December 9, 2023
We pray for peace and comfort to the family. Mrs. Georgia was always so kind to us.
Mark and Kerri Smith
Saturday, December 9, 2023
We are sad to hear the passing of a wonderful lady. Praying God will give you comfort and peace today and the days ahead.
Beth and Mike Coulson
Friday, December 8, 2023
We are so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you at this time