Dates
Carol Joyce Pickens passed away peacefully in her sleep at Regency House on February 12, 2025. She was born July 24, 1932 in Ironton, Ohio, and was the youngest of 9 children.
After graduation from Ironton High School she married her High School sweetheart Parshall Pickens and they were married 61 years, until he passed away on April 27, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Parshall was in the military and served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1974. Joyce was by his side throughout his military career, and they were stationed at Bases in Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Mississippi, Germany, Turkey and Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo. While overseas Joyce spent much of her time taking care of their 4 children (Gary, Sue, Debbie and Steve), traveling with Parshall while he played Worldwide Basketball for the Air Force.
She loved to bowl (which she continued until 2016) and enjoyed watching her friends bowl and baking them cookies. Joyce started working at Ethicon in San Angelo in 1976 and retired after 20+ years of service. She loved to travel, and she and Parshall were inseparable and were always on the road visiting family in Ohio, and friends around the country. Joyce was an active member of Life Point Baptist Church for many years. She has been a devoted Christian, loving mother, and grandmother.
Joyce will finally be reunited in heaven with her husband, Parshall Pickens, and their son Gary Pickens and all her brothers and sisters; and leaves behind 3 children - Sue Wimpee and husband Blake, Debbie Friend and husband Clay, and Steve Pickens and wife Ivy. She also had 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Joyce always had a smile on her face and loved to talk about Jesus, bowling, and enjoyed visiting with her friends.
A Special thanks to her special friend (Kristen Gaitan) and all the other nursing staff and friends at The Springs (Ashley, Emily, Brea, Kim, Pauline and others) for taking care of her for over 5 years; as well as Lindi, Laura, Sean, Susan and other nursing staff at Regency House for taking such great care of mom during her stay there over the last year as well.
A private graveside service will be held at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.