Raymond Earl Pickens was born July 15, 1929 in Marked Tree, AR the son of the late Leonard (Paul Leonard) G. and Ruby (Big Momma) Lee Sanders Pickens.
He was united in marriage to Helen Louise Baker on March 25, 1950. Mrs. Pickens preceded him in death on October 5, 2013.
Mr. Pickens retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of honorable service to his country. After retirement from the military, he worked for the Civil Service in South Dakota. In 1972, he and his wife, Helen bought a farm in Stantonville, Tennessee. They moved here in 1976 and started farming. He was an avid bowler, enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting.
Mr. Pickens departed this life on June 30, 2014 in Jackson, Tennessee at the age of 84 Years, 11 Months, 15 Days. He is survived by a daughter, Connie Wilson and husband Don of Adamsville, TN; three sons, Raymond Earl Pickens Jr. and wife Felicia of Stantonville, TN, Leonard Lee Pickens and wife Carolyn of Johnson City, TN, Mark Wayne Pickens of Stantonville, TN; twelve grandchildren, Donnie Wilson, Louis Wilson, Andrea Slagle, Raymond E. Pickens III, Christina Pickens, Robert Pickens, Constance Cole, Dominick Derose, Nicole Cannon, Jennifer Dawn Sheffield, Mark Anthony Pickens, Mary Beth Haynes; 18 Great Grandchildren; a brother, Ray Pickens of Adamsville, TN; four sisters, Linda Dettrie of Adamsville, TN, Clara Bearden of Adamsville, TN, Wanda Naylor of Adamsville, TN, JoAnn Osborne of Louisville, KY; and a host of extended family and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Pickens was preceded in death by
five sisters, Thelma Kirk, Juanita Moffet, Yvonne Carroll, Sarah Baker, Carolyn Dale Petty.
