Lillian Hickman Schklar

Lillian Clair Hickman Schklar, age 100 years and 7 months, passed away July 13, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. A Franklin, Tennessee native, Lillian was born December 13, 1925 and is preceded in death by her parents, Ila Glenn Hickman and James Oliver Hickman, her husband Gerson Schklar, daughter Natalie Schklar, and granddaughter-in-law Bethany White Schklar. She is survived by her children Raymond Schklar, David Schklar (Stephanie), Samuel Schklar (Donna), and Beckye Young (Joseph), as well as 13 grandchildren: Joshua Schklar (Jennifer), Aaron Schklar (Hannah), Sarah Klensch (Jared), Natalie Jones (Cooper), Adam Schklar, Alexandra Martinson (Luke), Crystal Wilson (Jamey), Samantha Hilton (Ben), Benjamin Young (Kimberly), Daniel Young, Hannah Young, and Jacob Young. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren: Noah, Elliot, Reagan, Cooper, Levi, Mia, Vander, Audrey, Emilee, Kara, Lilah, Lily-Ann, Charles and Caroline.

Lillian attended Franklin High School where she was recruited by the National Laboratories at Oak Ridge to help in the World War II effort, she was cubical operator #2, and continued to Fort Knox to further her service. Upon her return home, she chose a career as a legal secretary and “pencil pushing” bookkeeper.

Lillian married Gerson, the love of her life, on July 24, 1951. Together they enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, and spending time with family. Lillian was fearless, independent and adventurous, and often commented that her mother referred to her as “bone-headed”.

She gave freely of herself to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored. Lillian was a member of West End Synagogue and was active in countless charities. She was named Volunteer of the Year through Friends Learning in Pairs (FLIP), a program sponsored by Fifty Forward, and was awarded the Mary Catherine Strobel Award for Senior Volunteer of the Year in 2017. Additionally, she served as Worthy Matron of the Franklin Chapter 449 Order of the Eastern Star for numerous years. She was also featured on Fifty Forward’s “Squeeze the Day” Podcast in 2021.

A memorial visitation will take place on July 14, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Schklar home. A Graveside Service will take place on July 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at West End Synagogue Cemetery, with a Shiva service and visitation following at 3:00 p.m. at the Schklar home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.