Betty Pickens

Betty "Joan" Cathcart Pickens passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at the age of 77.

Betty was born Sept. 10, 1940, in Neely's Landing to Ernest and Ava Rumfelt Cathcart. She attended Oak Hill and Pocahontas schools. She married John Pickens on Feb. 25, 1962. He preceded her in death Oct. 1, 1989. They resided in Jackson, where they welcomed two sons, Tim (Paula) Pickens of Jackson and Todd (Betty) Pickens of Scopus, Missouri.

Betty worked at International Shoe Co. in Jackson before retiring from Thorngate LTD in Cape Girardeau. She loved all things outdoors and animals of every kind, but most of all, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty was the most caring woman, loved by everyone she met. She lived to love everyone who came into her life, and she will be missed tremendously.

Along with her sons, Betty is survived by three sisters, Lena (Sam) Johnston of Burfordville, Dorothy (Jerry) Rowland of Bonne Terre, Missouri, and Jerry (Charlie) Briggs of Redmond, Oregon; and two brothers, Don Cathcart of Oak Ridge and Troy Holifield of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Ava Rumfelt Cathcart; husband, John Pickens; two sisters, Mary Loos and Margie Stroder; a brother, John Cathcart; and a long time friend, Jessie Smith.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will be at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.