Memorial services for Betty Pickett will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 19, 2019 at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball, Louisiana with Rev. Kevin Paul officiating. The burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball, Louisiana, under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball, Louisiana.
Betty Pickett, age 87, of Ball, Louisiana, entered eternal rest peacefully, on Tuesday, August13, at Oak Haven Nursing home. Betty fought a long courageous battle with heart disease and breast cancer. Her faith in Christ and determination has been a witness to us all.
She graduated high school from Eudora High School in Arkansas. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas, Monticello, Arkansas where she was voted “Campus Beauty”, “Campus Sweetheart”, and “Sweetest Girl”.
Betty was lovingly known as “Mama” to her children and “Memaw” to her 15 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Betty’s teaching career always focused on helping young women and men. She was an elementary school teacher and spent over 25 years teaching school and supporting her husband John Pickett at the Louisiana Training Institute (L.T.I.) in Ball, LA for girls.
Betty loved to read, plant flowers, watch her birds and just “visit”. She had an infectious laugh and loved to dance the jitterbug. She was fiercely protective and proud of her children and grandchildren and loved them dearly. She loved scripture, deep discussion, and was a good listener. She was a loving and dedicated wife to her husband for over 63 years. She taught us all how to love well especially in her last years taking care of her husband. She loved being an active member at Pinehurst Baptist Church in Ball, beginning in 1963 until she was unable to. Her prayers, letters, late night talks, and confidence in Jesus Christ always brought her family through the tough times to the very end and will stand as a legacy to us all. Her last words to her children were, “God has been so good to give us all to each other.”
She is preceded in death by her husband John Pickett, her parents, Samuel David Harris II and Carrie Beatrice Adcock Harris; sisters, Anna Fae Harris Barkley and Marguerite Harris Hendrix.
She is survived by her three children, Karen Williford, Johnny Pickett (Susan) and James Pickett (Jennifer); one brother, Samuel David Harris III; grandchildren, Kevin Williford, Chris Williford, Seth Williford (Shawna), Kelsey Williford, Bradley Pickett (Samantha), Justin Pickett (Peyton), Madeline Pickett, “JD” James David Pickett; great grandchildren, Reese, Riley, Maddie, Roston, Aidyn, Gavin and Noah.
Flowers may be sent to Gallagher Funeral home or donations be made to Pinehurst Baptist Church, 484 Daniels Rd., Ball, Louisiana.
Friends may post online messages of condolence for the Pickett family by visiting www.gallagherfh.com.