Sally Pickens

Funeral services for Sally Witmer Pickens, 87, of Edgewood, are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at Cheatham Memorial United Methodist Church in Edgewood.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Sally passed away August 26, 2017, in Tyler, TX.

Sarah W. (Sally) Pickens was born May 6, 1930 in Houston, Texas to Hilda & Brewer Witmer, growing up in McAllen & Columbus. After the death of her mother and with her father serving in Japan, at the age of 12, she was adopted by Lenore (Daughty) and Rowland Rugeley (her aunt and uncle) and moved to Bay City.

Sally 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. on August 9, 1952 in Bay City and they made their home in Edgewood where Sally taught at EISD for one year before starting a family. She owned and operated Pickens Insurance Agency for many years.

Sally was of the Episcopalian faith and attended Cheatham United Methodist Church. She was a charter member of the Van Zandt Country Club and the Edgewood Historical Society. Sally 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.

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

Sally 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, Texas 75117.

 Service Information