Jimmy Roger Pickens, 51 years, of Anderson, Mo. departed this life suddenly Friday, May 16, 2008 at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Mo.

Jimmy was born Feb. 28, 1957, in Columbiana, son of the late William Franklin and Minnie Ruth (Robertson) Pickens. On Dec. 23, 1983 in Birmingham, he was united in marriage to Rosemary Baumgarten and together the shared the last 24 years. They left Alabama and moved their family to Anderson, Mo. in 1993.

Jimmy graduated from Crowder College with certification in wastewater management. For the last 5 years, he has been employed by Tyson Foods in their wastewater division.

He enjoyed being outdoors and thoroughly enjoyed attending his sons’ sporting events. He will be greatly missed.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Rosemary Pickens of Anderson, Mo.; four sons, Justin and Tommy Pickens of Anderson, Mo. and Brian and Adam Pickens of Sylacauga; a daughter, Amber Pickens of California; six grandchildren; four siblings, Clara Pickens of Westover, Sue Jeffcoat of Westover, Wanda Hayes of Wilsonville and Billy Pickens of Wilsonville; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Pickens were 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2008, in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Home with pastor Doyle Russell officiating.

Burial followed the service in the New Bethel Cemetery near Anderson, Mo. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers were Justin Pickens, Tommy Pickens, Billy Pickens, Adam Pickens, Les Parsons and Chris Martin.

The family received friends on May 20 from 1 p.m. until the time of the service in the funeral home chapel.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Mo