Pickett, Lillian Price (Mrs. Robert T.)
1/1/1962
MRS. ROBERT T. PICKETT
November 3, 1877-January 1962
Mrs. Lillian Price Pickett was born in Clarke County, Mississippi November 3, 1877. She was the daughter of Joseph Randell Price and Millicent Eldridge McGowan.
On June 29, 1904, she was married to Robert Tilden Pickett and to them seven children were born: Robert T. Pickett Jr., Roanoke, Virginia; Ruth P. Smith, Laurel, Mississippi; George B. Pickett, Jackson, Mississippi; chaplain Joseph C. Pickett, New Orleans, Louisiana; Mrs. Elizabeth P. Miller, New Orleans, Louisiana; Rev. Ross A. Pickett, Chester, South Carolina; and Mrs. James B. Spratt, Decatur, Georgia.
Her role as minister’s wife began in 1907 when her husband left the teaching profession after seven years and became a member of the South Mississippi Methodist Conference. They filled several appointments in this Conference until 1922 when they transferred to the Louisiana Methodist Conference, where they continued until Brother Pickett’s death in 1947. During the forty years she was a minister’s wife she served in the church as Sunday School teacher, offices in the W.S.C.S. both in the local church and the District work. She was active in W.C.T.U. and wore their white ribbon for years. She valued friendships and even in her older years made new friends as she moved from place to place. After Brother Pickett’s death she continued to live in parsonages with her son, Ross, who had entered the ministry.
Mrs. Pickett was a woman of marked personal charm and social grace. She was a devoted wife and mother. In all her relations, she personified the Golden Rule, and she had an unswerving devotion to Christ.
Her interest in music developed early and her years of study proved most beneficial to her. She began playing for church services in her early teens and played at her home church, McGowan’s Chapel and at places where she later taught school. She played for camp meetings and at all the churches she served as minister’s wife and also at the churches she served with her son Ross. She played for church services around seventy years and in her home for family singing.
Her heritage was a religious one. Her final resting place, McGowan’s Chapel, Pachuta, Mississippi, was founded by her grandfather, Hamilton McGowan and his brothers, Elbert and Robert. Funeral services were held on January 9, 1962 with the pastor, Rev. W. D. Piggott, Rev. Robert Matheny and Dr. Ellis Finger participating.
Source: Journal Louisiana Conference, 1962; p. 252 By George W. Harkins
