Sam Pickering, 80,of Texarkana, Texas, died Tuesday, October 4,2005, in a local hospital. Mr. Pickering was born January 22,1925, in Texarkana, and lived in the Texarkana surrounding area all of his life. Mr. Pickering was a Cattle Rancher, and former Cattle Salesman for the Hickerson Livestock Commission Company and the National Livestock Commission Company at the Texarkana Stockyard. He was a member of the Non-Denominational Church, former Board Director of the Miller-Bowie Farmers Association, a Director of the Garland Levee District, and a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association. He was preceaded in death by his parents, Sam and Bertha Pickering; one son, Samuel Eugene Pickering, and one sister, Mabel Arnold. Survivors include his beloved wife of fifty-eight years, Jessie Pickering of Texarkana; two daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Steve Groves of Garland, Ark., Eileen and Lee Johnson of Texarkana, Ark.; one brother, W.E. Pickering of Texarkana; nine grandchildren; one granddaughter-in-law and one grandson-in-law, Kimberly Johnson, Brad and Keli Groves, Suzanne and Shane Plyler, Chris Johnston, Julie Johnson, Charlotte Johnson, Chase Groves, Cynthia Johnson, Jessica Groves, one great-grandchild, Keely Plyler; and many nephews, nieces, and other relatives. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Fuqua-Everett Memorial Chapel at Texarkana Funeral Home with Ira Hobbs, LaRon Bronson, and Matt Jensen officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The family will be at the home of James and Pansy Pickering, 409 Sunray, Texarkana, Texas, 75503. 10-5-2005.