Phyllis Marie Pickens

Phyllis Marie Mason- Pickens (Baby Mason) was born in Chicago IL, to the late Eunice Marie Schexnyder Mason, and James Mason Sr. Phyllis was baptized at an early age into the catholic faith, at St. Malachi’s. She attended Biedler Elementary School, and went on to graduate from John Marshall High School in Chicago Illinois. Phyllis (Phyl as we so lovingly called her) married her longtime friend and lover Howard Lee Pickens Sr. (who precedes her in death) on March 31, 1955. Howard and Phyl brought four beautiful and loving children into this world; John Arthur Pickens (Gloria) of Clinton, IA, Howard Lee Pickens Jr. (who also precedes her in death), Dwayne James Pickens Sr. (Diane) of Madison WI, and Eunice Marie Pickens (Byron) of Clinton IA. Phyl started working at Bell and Howell at an early age and retired from there after she had her one and only daughter. She felt she needed to be home to raise her, so that is when she decided to retire from Bell and Howell in 1973. Phyl, along with her loving husband, loved to go fishing as well as camping. They would take their children with them along with her father and mother. They would go fishing and hunting in Savanna Illinois, every weekend. This was up until her death, her past time that gave her joy. Phyl was also an extraordinary cook. She loved to have her family around for big dinners as much as possible. On Tuesday, October 2, 2012, God chose to call Phyllis to be one of his angels, and to no longer be a part of the pain and suffering in this world. Phyllis leaves to mourn her immediate family: Her children; John A. Pickens Sr. (Gloria) of Clinton, IA, Dwayne J. Pickens Sr. (Diane) of Madison, WI, Eunice M. Pickens (Byron) of Clinton, IA. Her 3 Loving Sisters; Rosetta Polk of Virginia, Shirley Ann Street of Chicago IL, and Marion Tharpe (Charles) of Florida. Her 13 Beautiful Grandchildren; Eara (Lawrence), John, James, Reggie, Lennie, Eunice, Dwayne Jr., Phyllis Renee, Torris, Jaylan, Brichet, Byron Jr., and Brittany. Her 8 Precious Great Grandchildren; Isaiah, Noah, Jaquis, Jontae, Tatiyanna, Kenny, Patience, and Brianna. Her One and Only Brother in Law; Herbert Pickens, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, sister in laws, and friends. Phyllis will join her husband, Howard L. Pickens Sr., her son, Howard L. Pickens Jr., her mother, Eunice M Schexnyder Mason, her father, James Mason Sr., and her one and only brother, James Mason Jr., in heaven, and will be with all her loved ones through spirit. Final GoodByes From your Loving Son and Daughter-in-Law, Mama you will truly be missed now and forever. We love you. –John and Gloria A Tribute to My Loving Mother, and Best Friend, Mama, I really don’t know where to begin, so, I will start by thanking you for giving me all the knowledge and strength that I need to make it through each day successfully. I thank you for being there for me at all times no matter what the circumstances may have been. I love you dearly, and I know this was for the best, because now you have no more pain and suffering. I know God will take very good care of you for me until we reunite in eternal life. I love you Always Mom. –Your Love and Only Daughter, Eunice(Byron) Mama, I know we didn’t get along in the beginning, but for us time healed all wounds. I know your love towards me was genuine and strong for two reasons: 1). Because you helped me and my husband get back together when life tore us apart. 2). You told me from the bottom of your heart that you were sorry and to forgive you. I did then and I do now. Mama I know towards the end our love was strong, loving, and real. May God Bless you and may you rest in peace with all of our love taken with you. We love you Dearly. -Diane and Dwayne Hey Grandma, I just wanted to let you know that I love you, and that I lost my best friend. You believed in me and I made a vow to you that I would fix my attitude, and to keep my grades up in school and that is a promise to you that I will forever keep. I Love You and Miss You. -Jaylan Grandma, I want to thank you for all the teaching, guidance, love, and support you gave me as I was growing up. Your spirit will always live within me. Memories I will always cherish. I Love You Grandma. –Reggie Grandma, My love, I am at a loss for words. I have lost my best friend, the love of my life, and my heart. It is so hard to say Goodbye, but I know that you are in a better place. One thing you taught me was to believe, and to never fear anyone or anything but God, and that I will always keep within me. You have provided me with so much support, knowledge, love, and wisdom, and for that I wanted to say Thank You. You were more than just a grandmother to me, you were my everything, and I know you knew that already, but I wanted to say it again for the last time. Peace be with you Nunii. For now I have to say Farewell My Love. We will be dancing together again someday. I Love You. –Renee Dear Grandma, I don’t even know where to start. I know we had our differences, but as I progressed, as time went by, we overcame our obstacles and set aside our differences and showed nothing but love to one another. I am going to miss you so very much, but most of all I am going to miss your feisty and loving spirit. I don’t want to have to say this, but Goodbye for now. I will see you in heaven darling. –Torris Grandma, You were one of the most strongest, intelligent, and loving people I have ever known. Even though blood did not bind us, you embraced me as one of your own grandchildren, and I Thank You. I will carry your strength of character for the rest of my days. I Love You Grandma. –Lennie Dear Grandma, I don’t know where to start, but I loved it when me and you had our own days. Thank You for teaching me how to read and do math. I believed in you and you taught me so many things. There will always be a chunk of my heart missing without you, and don’t you forget that. I will always Love You Grandma. –Brichet Grandma, I love You and Thank You for everything you’ve showed me, and done for me. You are a strong woman, and have been fighting for a while. And now you can finally rest. I’ll do my best to keep our family together and strong. I Love You Always. –Dwayne Jr. To Our Loving Grandmother. Although we could not be there physically, we want you to know that we love you with all our hearts. You have fought a tough battle and remained unbelievably strong until you took your last breath. Everything you have taught us will remain within us for the rest of our lives. We Love You Grandma. –John and James Grandma, At a loss for words I am. Your strength, and your love can never be duplicated. I will cherish the moments we shared. I never thought that tough love was sometimes the best love, but it always kept me on my toes. My appreciation for you cannot be summed into one paragraph but know that Kenny and I will always hold onto the good times we’ve shared. It is so hard to say goodbye, but know that if you’re looking down, and happened to see a tear drop, that I am crying because a beautiful woman is at home at peace with my Papa, which is happy and priceless. I Love You So Much. –Lil Eunice and Kenny Miss Grandma Phyllis, You know you were the party, and we know you would still want us to continue partying. Even in your last days you were a fighter and you were so much fun. You also had a very sweet heart. You spoke the truth and admitted at times that you may have hurt people’s feelings, but you always came back and said, “Then don’t ask!”. Your fun, lively, partying spirit will be carried on through this entire family as we celebrate your life! We will always remember you and love you. I am so glad you got saved, and now you’re able to rest in peace with the Lord above. –Eara Nimmers and family Phyl, Although your spirit has gone on, I am going to miss you terribly. Knowing now that you are with Howard, PeeWee, Val, and our other family members, gives me comfort that everything will be alright. You know how much I love you, and it’ll be hard not talking with you on a weekly basis. Our last gathering in August made me realize how precious little time we’ve spent together over the years. My biggest regret is not being able to make up for lost time. However, I know that you’re in a better place now, no more trials and tribulations. Just know that I’ll always love you, and will never forget you. –Love Your Sister, “Rose” Tribute to Our Sister Phyl, It has been only a few days since we talked but it feels longer. We love you the same as always, laughing when times are good and crying when they were bad. We already miss being able to call you anytime and talk about anything that came to mind. Even though we grew up and went our separate ways as most siblings do that did not change the fact that we were sisters. I wish that you were still here with me, but that is being selfish, I know. I understand that our Heavenly Father has another plan for you and all of us. Death is not the end, but the beginning. Just know I love you and miss you, but will always have you in my heart. –Love Always, Your Sister, Marion And Phyl, you know how often we had our disagreements, and arguments?, but I guess that was because I wanted you here (selfishly), not only for me but for Ro and Marion too because we are sisters. I cried the last time we went to Iowa City together, and you said “Shirley, I wish I had listened to you.” But death has never been final for me. I know that I will be with you again. The Lord can only tolerate one of us at a time. I love you. –Love Always, Your Sister, Shirley. A Better Place Cry for me nomore The many tears of sadness My time in this world was over And it came for me to pass. Bring the photos of old times And see them not with tear-filled eyes But with eyes of joy and laughter And smile once more with me. Know that I am in a better place One without disease Without hatred and without death This kingdom I now call home. I wait here for you When your time comes to pass To ease the transition From the old to the new. Cry for me no more. Remember only the laughter. For I am in another realm And I wait to see you again. A Special Tribute God looked around his garden and found an empty place He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain And knew that you would never get well on earth again He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes He whispered to you, “Peace be Thine” and gave you wings to fly When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again You’ve left us precious memories your love will be our guide You live on through your children, you’re always on our side It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. Love Always, your Family

Phyllis Marie Pickens

July 19, 1938 - October 2, 2012