Sally Witmer Pickens

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Sally Witmer Pickens

1930-2017

Funeral services for Sally Witmer Pickens, 87, of Edgewood, were held Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, at Cheatham Memorial United Methodist Church in Edgewood.

Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Pickens passed away Aug. 26, 2017, in Tyler.

Sarah W. (Sally) Pickens was born May 6, 1930, in Houston to Hilda and Brewer Witmer. She

grew up in McAllen and Columbus. After the death of her mother, and with her father serving in Japan, she was adopted at age 12 by her aunt and uncle, Lenore (Daughty) and Rowland Rugeley and moved to Bay City.

She graduated from Texas Women’s University at Denton with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Sociology and taught first grade at Thomas A. Edison in West Dallas for one year.

She married William H. (Bill) Pickens Jr. Aug. 9, 1952, in Bay City and they made their home in Edgewood. She taught at EISD for one year before starting a family. She owned and operated Pickens Insurance Agency for many years.

She was Episcopalian by faith and attended Cheatham United Methodist Church. She was a charter member of the Van Zandt Country Club and the Edgewood Historical Society. She served on the Edgewood City Council and served many years on the Board of Directors for the First National Bank of Edgewood.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; brother, William (Billy) Wall Witmer; and sister Martha Bachman.

She is survived by her sons, Bob Pickens of Edgewood, Jim Pickens and wife, Tina of Mineola, Mark Pickens and wife, Sue of Edgewood and Myra Pickens of Edgewood; grandchildren, Bobby Pickens and wife, Janette of Fate, Stephen Pickens of Lampasas, Jay Pickens and wife Kelsey of Dallas, Collin Pickens of Mineola, Claire Pickens of Mineola, Jeff Phillips and wife, Jennifer of Rockwall, Melissa Cooper of Edgewood, Savannah Pickens of League City; and great-grandchildren Wade Cooper, Sydney and Reid Phillips.

She enjoyed her time at the Historical Society, her daily coffee with friends and spending time with her family.

Memorials can be made to The Heritage Park Museum of East Texas at P. O. Box 765, Edgewood, TX 75117.