Thanks to Walter Stoyanoski ([email protected]) for going above and beyond in assisting on the location of the obituary and confirmation of his burial site.

OBITUARY OF JAMES WILLAM PICKENS

James William Pickens was born 5 July 1855 in Tishomingo county Mississippi, being 78 years, three months and 23 days old at the time of his death October 28, 1932. Moving to west Tennessee he met and married Mary F. Stephens and to this union was born 2 children. His wife and one child preceded in death. He married again in 1879 to Miss Della Tanksley and to this union 3 children were born, the wife and 2 children preceding in death. In 1891 he met and married Mrs Virginia E. Brook and to this union 5 children were born. He leaves a widow and 6 children to mourn his home going. Mrs. L.C. McDonald, Stratford, Okla; Mr. L.W. Pickens, Elmore, Okla; Mrs. Annie Weeden, Blanchard, Okla; J.T. Pickens, Washington, Okla; Mr. T.A. Pickens of Texas; Mrs. L. O. Edwards, Muleshoe, Texas; a stepson, J.W. Roberts, Lawton, Okla and A.J. Pickens, Sand Springs, Okla, one sister Mrs. Georgia Star, Carlsbad, N.M.

Brother Pickens was converted and joined the Missionary Baptist Church in 1874 and was a faithful member of the same church until the death angel called him home. Few man are more devoted or more loyal to their church than he or contended more earnestly for the faith once for all delivered in the saints than he did

Coming to Oklahoma in an early day he imbibed the spirit of our forefathers who knew nothing but faith and devotion in the cause they espoused. He possessed no spirit of compromise. He met the world the flesh and the devil with unfurled banner. The sword of God's truth, through and by which he was victor even in the midst of evil days and a wicked and perverse generation. He had faith in God that he would care for his own. He died as he lived in the triumph of a living faith in Jesus Christ. And while he has been taken from us, yet his Christian character and influence will remain. For the Bible say, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." (Rev.13-14)

Thus another good citizen, loving companion and devoted father was passed in his reward. His funeral was held at Washington conducted by Rev. J. W. Wilson. Interment was made at the Washington Cemetery in the presence of a crowd of sorrowful friends and relatives. He book awaits the resurrection the just. Peace be to his ashes.



Handwritten 33 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren Note at bottom; I don't know what paper this came from, probably Purcell. This came from Ruth Kasier in California in 1982 or 1983. signed R. Tidwell, 3-4-93

I've made spaces between names and made paragraph's for easier reading. DAJ



Second Obit, probably from Washington Newspaper

Funeral services were conducted at the Washington Cemetery Saturday afternoon for Mr. Pickens who died in an Oklahoma City hospital. Friday. He was well known here, his home having been made in the community for several years. Deepest heartfelt sympathy is extended the bereaved.

Located in The Oklahoman, October 29, 1932 edition, p. 16:

'Pickens, James W. 78, Washington, Okla. Services and burial will be at Washington. Saturday at 2 p.m. under direction of the Hahns' (Hahns Funeral Home)

James William /Pickens/5 July 1854 - 28 October 1932

James William /Pickens/
birth: 5 July 1854
Tishomingo County, MS
death: 28 October 1932
McClain County, OK
more

More informationmarriage: 1876
Hardin County, TN

spouse:
Della Beckham /Wood/
birth: 23 October 1857
death: 17 October 1888

spouse:
Virginia E. /Corder/
birth: 2 August 1860
death:

spouse:
Mary Elizabeth /Stephenson/
birth: 24 March 1853
marriage: 1876
death: 14 April 1879

John William Gabriel /Pickens/
birth: 6 March 1832
Hardin County, TN
death: 4 February 1899
Pickens County, OK

Mary Ann /Jones/
birth: July 1836
Tennessee
death: about 1906

Additional Information for James William /Pickens/
Sources (1)
1.Jackson Reynolds, Okmulgee, OK ([email protected])

James W Pickens in household of J W Pickens
"United States Census, 1870
Name: James W Pickens
Birth Year (Estimated): 1854
Gender: Male
Age (Original): 16y
Race: White
Birthplace: Mississippi
Event Place: Tennessee, United States
Household Gender Age Birthplace
J W Pickens M 37y Tennessee
Mary A Pickens F 33y Tennessee
James W Pickens M 16y Mississippi
Geo W Pickens M 13y Missouri
Andrew J Pickens M 12y Missouri
Joseph S Pickens M 10y Tennessee
John T Pickens M 5y Tennessee
Jessee R Pickens M 3y Tennessee
Franklin C Pickens M 1 Tennessee

United States Census, 1870

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900

Name: James William Pickens
Gender: Male
Birth Place: MS
Birth Year: 1854
Spouse Name: Virginia Elizabeth King
Spouse
Birth Place: MS
Spouse Birth Year: 1860
Marriage
Year: 1891
Marriage State: OK
Number Pages: 1

Source Citation: Source number: 25029.001; Source type: Pedigree chart; Number of Pages: 1.
Source Information:
Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

The 1920 census shows James Pickens in the Perry, McClain,OK area:

Pickens, James 65 y/o b.Mississippi
Pickens, Virginia 59 y/o b. Mississippi
Pickens, James 25 y/o, b.Oklahoma
Pickens, Ethel 21 y/o, b. Oklahoma

In the 1930 census James Pickens is noted still living in McClain County, OK:

Pickens, James W. 75 y/o
Pickens, Corderos V. 69 y/o
* Not sure why Virginia is noted with her name as 'Corderos'. Perhaps she was asked what her maiden name was????

***********************
Posting at RootsWeb by one of the several Pickens researchers:

Welcome to Chuck's World
Entries: 107164 Updated: 2011-12-04 16:49:48 UTC (Sun) Contact: Chuck

---------------------
•ID: I041119
•Name: James William PICKENS
•Sex: M
•Birth: 5 JUL 1855 in Tishomingo Co., Mississippi 1 2
•Death: 28 OCT 1932 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 3 of myocarditis & pneu
•Burial: OCT 1932 on the home farm, Washington, McClain Co, Oklahoma
•Census: 11 MAY 1900 Elmore, Chickasaw territory, claiming to be grandson of, James Pickens a Choctaw Indian 4
•Education: Highschool ?
•Occupation: Farmer
•Reference Number: 42618

Father: John William Gabriel PICKENS b: 6 MAR 1832 in Hardin co, Tennessee
Mother: Mary Ann JONES b: JUL 1836 in Mississippi

Marriage 1 Mary Elizabeth STEPHENSON b: 24 MAR 1853 in Tennesee
•Married: 13 FEB 1876 in J.A.J. Poindexter sitnes, Harden Co, Tennessee 1 5
Children
1. Lula Canzaty PICKENS b: 30 DEC 1877 in Hamburg, Hardin Co, Tennessee
2. Unknown PICKENS b: 14 AUG 1879 in Hamburg, Hardin Co, Tennessee

Marriage 2 Della Beckham WOOD b: ABT 1857 in Hardin Co, Tennessee, questionable
•Married: 27 SEP 1879 in Hardin Co, Tennessee
J.W. Pickens married D. B. Tankersley 27 Sep 1879 (license) J.A.J. Poindexter, witness.

Source:
Abstract of Pickens from
Marriage Records of Hardin County, Tennessee
AnnMarie Chappell ([email protected])
https://www.fincher.org/pickens/HardinCoMarr.txt

Children
1. Walter Levi PICKENS b: 27 AUG 1880 in Hardin Co, Tennessee

Marriage 3 Virginia Elizabeth CORDER b: 2 AUG 1860 in Mississippi
•Married: 3 MAY 1891 in Indian Territory, Chickasaw Nation
Children
1. John W. ROBERTS b: ABT 1879 in Wynnewood, Indian Territory Oklahoma, {l/dng}
2. Annie Jane PICKENS b: 8 AUG 1892 in Elmore, Garvin, Indian Territory
3. James F. PICKENS b: 20 JUN 1894 in Katie, Indian Territory
4. Thomas Andrew PICKENS b: 5 NOV 1896 in Katie/Caney, Indian Territory, Chickasaw Nation
5. Ethel M. PICKENS b: JUL 1898 in Katie, Indian Territory, Oklahoma

Sources:
1.Title: Bible owned by Lynnia Horton
Note: TITL Bible owned by Lynnia Horton
Washington McClain Co Oklahoma
Repository:
Note: NAME Lynnia Horton
NOTE information obtained from Lynnia
Media: Book
Text: QUAY 3 2.Title: International Genealogical Index Mississippi
Note: TITL International Genealogical Index Mississippi
Pickens
Repository:
Note: NAME Jackson Reynolds
ADDR Rt. 2 Bx 615
CONT Okmulgee
CONT Oklahoma
NOTE Oklahoma families only
Media: Book
Text: QUAY 2 3.Title: Pauls Valley, Ardmore or Wynnewood
Publication: Pauls Valley, Ardmore or Wynnewood
Repository:
Note: NAME Jackson Reynolds
ADDR Rt. 2 Bx 615
CONT Okmulgee
CONT Oklahoma
NOTE Oklahoma families only
Media: Other
Text: QUAY 0 4.Title: FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES OF OKLAHOMA
Note: TITL FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES OF OKLAHOMA
Doc. 1139, Tishominog
Chickasaw Museum Rpts/Dept. Int & Evidentiary
Papers. p. 466
Repository:
Note: NAME Jackson Reynolds
ADDR Rt. 2 Bx 615
CONT Okmulgee
CONT Oklahoma
NOTE Oklahoma families only
Media: Book
Text: QUAY 2 5.Title: Hardin County Marriage Book, Bk1,
Note: TITL Hardin County Marriage Book, Bk1,
Hardin Co, Tennessee
Repository:
Note: NAME Jackson Reynolds
ADDR Rt. 2 Bx 615
CONT Okmulgee
CONT Oklahoma
NOTE Oklahoma families only
Media: Book
Text: QUAY 2

*************************

I give you this thought to keep
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone
I am with you still- in each new dawn.

Native American prayer