Phyllis Marie Pickens

Phyllis Marie Pickens (Boshell) died at Providence Senior Living facility in Milton, GA on September 4, 2024 - several weeks after celebrating the 100 year milestone. She was born in Wichita, KS on August 19, 1924 to Lewis and Elizabeth Boshell. The second to youngest of five children, she was preceded in death by brothers Lowell, Charles and Lamont, and sister Fern. Phyllis grew up in Coldwater, KS; after graduating from Coldwater High School in 1942 she left Kansas and went to California. She had an aunt working at Camp Roberts during WWII and she joined her working at Camp Roberts. There she became friends with Mamie Pickens, who introduced Phyllis to James William Pickens (William, or Bill) after he came home from the war. Their first meeting was at a church youth service and romance blossomed from there. After 3 months they were married in San Bernardino, Ca. Their marriage lasted 74 years, until he passed away in 2020. She gave birth to her first son, Robert, in Delano, Ca, and after moving to the Los Angeles area daughter Donna was born, followed by son Glenn. She was a full time mother and after the kids were in grade school she went back to work - working on the grave yard shift for Sealright Pacific. She continued to work at various private and public sector jobs until she retired from Metropolitan State Hospital in 1988. Upon retirement, she moved to Marietta, Ga. In retirement she worked part time at Antoniette’s Restaurant and Publix Deli. She loved Jesus and was active in church her whole life. In the Los Angeles area she played clarinet in the orchestra and also sang in the choir at First Family Church in Whittier, Ca. She also played in the orchestra at Mount Paran Church of God after moving to Georgia. Up until the end she loved to hear church choirs sing. She is survived by her three children, Robert Pickens (Melanie), Donna Pickens, and Glenn Pickens (Pam), five grandchildren, Suzanne Pickens Young (Tony), Tamara Pickens, Benjamin Pickens, Glenn Pickens II (Emily-Cathryn), and Elizabeth Pickens Boatright (Matthew). She loved her four great-grandchildren, Emily and Nathan Young, Bailey Boatright, and Wilder Pickens.

Phyllis Marie Pickens

August 9, 1924 - September 4, 2024