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Dorothy Faye Pickett, the daughter of Melvin and Minthia (Burggraaf) Cooper, was born July 23, 1914, near Red Rock, now part of Red Rock Lake. She was a resident of Newton and Jasper County most of her life having moved with family to Newton from Lynnville in 1923. Dorothy graduated from the Newton Senior High School with the Class of 1933.
On May 12, 1934, Dorothy was united in marriage with Chester D. Pickett in Newton. Dorothy devoted her life to her husband and family. She enjoyed her time spent with family and especially the fishing vacations at the lake. Dorothy was a member of the Jasper County Historical Society, Jasper County Senior Citizens and the Golden Agers Club. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Dorothy died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at Newton Healthcare. She was 106 years old. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chester, in 1991; two daughters-in-law, Betty Jean Pickett and Connie Sue Pickett; a great-grandson, Steven Welcher; and three sisters, Thelma Brown, Irma Pickett and Carmen Peak. Those left to honor Dorothy’s memory include her sons, Donald Pickett of Newton and James (Janet) Pickett of Mitchellville; her four grandchildren, Terry (Kim) Pickett, Alvin Pickett, Tammy (Shawn) Welcher and Jennifer (Jim) Prendergast; her five great-grandchildren, Lisa (Mitch) Montgomery, Sydney Pickett (Jason Eck), Madelyn Pickett, Rachel Prendergast and Sarah Prendergast; her three great-great-grandsons, Kent Montgomery, Klayton Montgomery and Jett Knudsen; and a sister, Ruby Blount.
A public visitation for Dorothy will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are required.
A Facebook broadcast of the service will begin at 2:30 p.m. on the Pence-Reese Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page.
Memorials may be designated to the Jasper County Historical Museum, the Jasper County Senior Citizens or the Golden Agers and may be left at the cemetery or at Pence-Reese Funeral Home.