Mary Ellen Pickens (known to all her family and friends as Maria) was born 9-28-1946 and passed on 6-5-23. She leaves behind a niece, friend, and caregiver Michelle Stuart of Boonville, IN. A grandson Justin Pickens, a granddaughter Alessandra Gallman. A brother Mike Ricketts(Sharon) of Herrin, IL. A sister June Lee Millis(Steve) of Boonville,IN. Five nieces and numerous great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years Terry L. Pickens. A daughter Aimee Sue Carlisle, grandson Kevin Gallman, parents Hilbert Odelle Ricketts and June Ricketts. Brother, Larry Patrick Ricketts (Pat), Gerald (Marty) Ricketts (Cheryl) and sister Susan J. Witherspoon (Bob).
Maria was absolutely fearless as she believed without experiencing it you would truly never know. She traveled around in her younger years from New York city and Madrid to Tangier, Morocco and France where she stayed some time working in the vineyards. She also took up flying and studied until she was eventually able to pilot alone. She was a mother very young to a daughter and later she would raise her grandson as well. Maria was very loving and had not a hateful bone in her body. She would have given her life for another without the blink of an eye.
She would eventually marry the love of her life, Terry, after many tries making him Terry the eighth, a common joke amongst family. She gave her everything to him and quickly became a homemaker where she avidly gardend and live to cook. She was a wonderful cook and tried new things all the time. There is so much more to Maria and she will be dearly missed.
Simple Cremation Evansville is entrusted with care.
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