Ronald Jay

Pickens

Obituary

Ronald Jay Pickens, 65, of Tifton went home to be with Jesus Monday, February 21, 2011, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Elder Charles Tyson will officiate with burial to follow at Leek Cemetery in Star City, Arkansas. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.

Mr. Pickens was born on February 28, 1945 in Star City, Arkansas and was the son of Eva Blasengame Pickens of Star City, Arkansas and the late Ander Jay Pickens. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Maurice McClure and Sandra Rowe; three brothers-in-law, Henry McClure, Lenn Franks and Bobby Cofield; one sister-in-law, Jan Franks; and his father-in-law, James Wallace Franks. He was the retired CEO of Raywick Truss Company. Mr. Pickens was of the Christian faith and lived for Jesus. He enjoyed doing for others and loved his children and grandchildren. He was always a helping hand and loved to laugh.

In addition to his mother, Mr. Pickens is survived by his wife, Diane Franks Pickens of Tifton; his mother-in-law, Maxine Franks of Tifton; one brother and sister-in-law, Wyatt and Margie Pickens of Arkansas; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bill Rowe of Arkansas, Wanda Cofield of Tifton, Lanny Franks of Tifton, Randy and Joyce Franks of Jesup, Ronny and Sherry Franks of Cumming and Lisa Franks of Knoxville, Tennessee; five children and their spouses, Ron and Teresa Pickens of Oklahoma, Kim and David Gober of Arkansas, Geriann and Stephen Weeks of Tifton, Rusty Wishum of Tifton and Myra and Russ Smith of Tifton; ten grandchildren, Lindsey and Brett McKee of Oklahoma, Lauren Pickens of Oklahoma, Jordan and Zack Gober of Arkansas, Wran Wishum of Tifton, Hayden Weeks of Tifton, Grace Weeks of Tifton, Will Weeks of Tifton, Ross Smith of Tifton and Ella Smith of Tifton; one great-granddaughter, Kindel McKee of Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.