Sybil Shirley Fickle

Sybil Shirley Fickle (née Rusk), 79, of Hiawassee, Georgia, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on April 17, 2024. Born on February 19, 1945, in Lafayette, Indiana, Sybil was the daughter of Gordon and Mary Lewis Rusk. She was graduated from Dayton High School and attended Ball State University. Sybil married Albin Charles Fickle in Dayton, Indiana, on September 6, 1964. 

Sybil was an active member of her churches in Galesburg and Effingham, Illinois, as well as Cartersville, Tifton, Statesboro, and Hiawassee, Georgia. She was someone who led with a servant’s heart in all communities.  She served as the Treasurer of the National Episcopal Church Women and President of the Diocese of Georgia Episcopal Church Women. Sybil was an active member of Christ the King Church, where she was a leader of the Prayer Shawl Ministry and served on the Altar Guild. She was an integral leader and special member of the “Tuesday Divas” at Christ the King Antique Furniture Store Ministry in Hiawassee. 

Sybil worked at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and in Program Development for Continuing Education at Georgia Southern University, working with academic and professional organizations and associations to schedule conferences and other events. She was a world traveler, a lover of History, an avid reader, and an accomplished needlepoint and crochet artist. She loved spending time with her family, friends, and her cherished furry buddy “Bailey.” However, her greatest roles, which brought her the most joy, were as wife to Al for 59 years, mother to Chris and Craig, and Grammy to her seven grandchildren.  

She is survived by her loving husband, Al; sons Chris (Laura) Fickle of Woodstock, Georgia, and Craig (Stacye) Fickle of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren John, Grant (Jordan), Adam, Connor, Luke, Anna, and Sam; brother Ed (Phyllis) Rusk, and nephew Michael (Katie) Rusk, both of Bonita Springs, Florida. 

Services will be held on Friday, April 26, at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Church in Hiawassee, Georgia, with Pastor Charley Vensel officiating and assisted by Deacon Darlene Collum. The funeral will be live-streamed at ctkh.org/watch  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Christ the King Church, 525 North Main Street Hiawassee, Georgia 30546.  

Cochran Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sybil Fickle; you may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registrar at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.