Shirley Ann Pickens

Shirley was born December 3, 1938, in Eldorado, Illinois, the daughter of Elbridge and Catherine (Johnson) Pickens. She worked as an Administrative Secretary for the United States Navy in Washington, DC for many years later retiring from the IRS in Evansville, Indiana. She was an independent yet influential female to her family, with many artistic abilities and a loving of painting. Shirley had many beloved pets over the years, and being an avid reader she spent much time curled up with her pets and a book.

Shirley is survived by her sister, Kimberly Dale; nieces and nephews, Roger Utley Jr., Jamie Utley, Jeff Pickens, Catherine Alexander, Matt Dale, Sara Larson, Hannah Arkens, niece-in-law Lana Utley, and their families; numerous friends around the country and her dog, Lola.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Jerry (Roger Sr.) Utley and David (Deanna) Pickens; brother-in-law, Kenneth Dale and a nephew, Danny Utley.

All are welcome to join the family for a memorial service on Friday, May 24 at 5 p.m. at the Covenant Church in Gladstone, with a dinner to follow at 5:30 p.m.

The family is being assisted by the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. To leave the family a message of condolence, go to www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.