Jerry Pickens, 86, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 25, 1934, in Cape Girardeau to Harold and Jewell Richmond Pickens.

Jerry was a 1953 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959.

In 1956, he married Doris Bagbey, and they had two sons, David and Brian. He and Carolyn Dumey were married Feb. 16, 1979. Carolyn had a son, Kevin, and together they had another son, Ryan.

Jerry established Cape Cleaning and later Cape Janitorial Supply. He sold the business in 1996 and retired.

Jerry was a longtime member of LaCroix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau and also enjoyed attending the Thursday evening services at Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge. He was a former member of New McKendree United Methodist Church and Bethany Baptist Church.

Jerry and Carolyn loved to travel in the United States and abroad. Jerry also liked to eat, read, watch old movies and sports on television -- especially the St. Louis Cardinals, and spend time with his family.

Loving survivors include his wife of 42 years, Carolyn Pickens of Jackson; three sons, David (Sarah) Pickens of Cape Girardeau; Brian (Vicki) Pickens of Arcadia, Missouri; and Ryan Pickens of Imperial, Missouri; grandchildren, Matthew (Kelsea) Pickens, and son, Jonathan David Pickens; Tara Weaver and husband, Kylie; Lilly Pickens; and Adam and Kayla Pickens; two sisters, Charlotte (the late Norman) Simpkins and Karen (the late Paul) Lloyd; a sister-in-law, Patsy (the late "Frog") Crader; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepson, Kevin Dumey; a half sister, Betty (Carl) La Croix; and a half brother, Harvey Jenkins.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev. Ron Watts will officiate the funeral at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family appreciates memorial contributions to Southeast Hospice, La Croix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau or the Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge.