DONNA PICKETT

JERSEYVILLE -  Donna Marie Pickett, 84, died at 1:40 p.m., Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, Mo.

She was born in Carrollton, Illinois on September 19, 1939, one of five daughters born to Gearold James and Emma Marie (Calvin) Varble.

She was a graduate of Southwestern High School, and was a member of the Kane Baptist Church.

For several years, she was employed with Shipman Lumber and Manis Photography in Jerseyville, but her true calling was providing childcare in her home.

She married the love of her life, Ralph Raymond Pickett Jr. on July 29, 1978 in Jerseyville, and together they enjoyed 30 years of marriage prior to his death on August 4, 2008.

She is survived by her three children, Bret Ryan of Richmond, Kentucky, Brenda Gardner of Jerseyville, and Thomas Ryan of Golden Eagle; a step son and his wife, Ralph and Michelle Pickett of Jerseyville; five grandchildren, Jessica, Jennifer, James, Andrew and Marissa; numerous great grandchildren; two sisters and a brother in-law, Lena Markham of Otterville and Karen and Greg Short of Jerseyville; and a brother in-law, Clifford Ruyle of Jerseyville.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Adam Gardner; two sisters, Letha Fricker and Shirley Ruyle; and a brother in-law, Gary Markham.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Kane Baptist Church with Rev. Joel Lohr officiating.

Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Carrollton.

Memorials may be given to the Kane Baptist Church.

Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.