Betty Pickering

Betty Lou Cox Pickering, known affectionately as “Memaw”, 87, of South Chesterfield, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Johnnie and Louie Cox, her sister Sandra Thomas, her son Todd Pickering, and the love of her life Farley Pickering. She leaves behind brother Ronald Cox and his wife Becky; sister Pat McGovern; two daughters Rhonda Acuff and son-in-law Phil and Stacy Bradshaw and son-in-law Scott; two grandson Joshua Acuff and his wife Callie and Robert Acuff and his wife Gale; six granddaughters Michelle Shuck and her husband Brandon, Emma Hadzi-Antich and her husband Ted, Emily Hanky and her husband Justin, Claire Pickering and her boyfriend Brad, Erin Webb and her husband Ryan and Ashley Cunningham and her husband Richard; daughter-in-law, Patti Pickering; and several nieces and nephews. Memaw’s pride and joy were her sixteen great-grandchildren, Roen, Jude, Wells, Abel, Finch, Scarlett, Robert, Michael, Kinslee, Cannon, Kyril, Landon, Catherine, Ava Lee, Nola and Evans. Betty was born in Gadsden, Alabama in 1933. She was born at home on December 7th. The doctor wasn't able to make it to her home until the 8th to formally pronounce and record the live birth, so her friends and family enjoyed celebrating her birthday for two days each year. At the end of Betty’s senior year of high school, she moved to Germany where her father was stationed with the US Army for a couple of years. When she moved back to Junction City, Kansas, she met the love of her life, Farley Pickering. They married in November of 1956 and enjoyed 49 years together. Betty grew up in Twelfth Street Baptist Church, and when she and Farley settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, she joined Carmel Baptist Church. She was a Sunday school teacher and loved being involved in Bible study and services there. Most recently, she was active in a Bible study in her neighborhood where she met weekly with several ladies to study God’s word. Formed by these churches and bodies, she leaves behind a legacy of strength and humility in the love and truth of Jesus Christ. Betty spent her career working at JC Penney Company where she worked as a floor supervisor before being promoted to the bookkeeping; she retired in 1992 but always retained a sweet fondness for the company that she called her work home. There will be a celebration of Memaw’s life 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Home, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.