Henrietta Jacqulin (Richardson) Pickens was born 3 miles southeast of Thomas on the farm to Theodore and Mary "Elverda" (Lawter) Richardson on March 26, 1934. Henrietta was one of three children. She passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma having reached the age of 83 years, 6 months, and 18 days. Henrietta was raised and attended school in Thomas, Oklahoma, graduating with the Thomas High School class of 1952. After high school she attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University where she worked on her Associate's Degree, played in the college band and sang in the college choir. On September 2, 1954, Henrietta married the love of her life, Ross Kenneth Pickens at the First Baptist Church in Thomas. They settled in Thomas with Ross working at Ames & Pickens Service Station and Henrietta keeping house and cooking for her new husband.

Henrietta loved her community and enjoyed serving wherever she was needed. She also enjoyed being a part of the VFW Auxiliary. Henrietta was an active and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Thomas. Ross and Henrietta served in many capacities in the church, but her heart was in serving as a youth leader with Ross and serving in music ministry. Henrietta loved music and playing the piano. She started playing for the First Baptist Church of Thomas in 1953 and stepped down from the organ this past September,2017.

Henrietta started working as a piano teacher giving lessons in 1952 and continued giving lessons through 1981. For years, she was requested to share her talent on the piano and organ playing at church, weddings, funerals, special occasions, and family gatherings. She also enjoyed accompanying many soloists, duets, and quartets throughout the years.

Henrietta opened her home up in 1973 to care for her first set of kids. From 1973 until 2012 she and Ross touched the lives of numerous amount of kids. After her retirement, she continued to enjoy opening up her home to her great grandchildren, as well as the grown-up children that she had kept, and the next generation of the children that stayed with her. Anyone who knew "Retta" knew that she loved you but was going to be firm and stern and let you know the truth as it was. You also knew that you would forever be in her heart.

Henrietta was in her glory cooking and serving meals to her family, friends, and her kids she baby-sat through the years. She loved the holidays, birthdays, game nights, school lunch breaks, after school snack time, and any other time she could cook for her loved ones.

Henrietta Jacqulin (Richardson) Pickens loved to travel and go on vacation with her family and friends. Some of her greatest memories were at Red River, New Mexico. She, like the rest of the family, loved watching all kinds of sports with football and Thunder basketball as her favorites. You would often find a game on the TV at their home or Ross and Henrietta sitting in the stands cheering on their loved ones. Ross and Henrietta shared a lot of great memories traveling with friends to away games.

Henrietta regarded her husband Ross of 63 years, their two children Larry and John, their three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren as God's greatest blessings and her greatest sense of joy. She believed in living her life to the fullest.

Henrietta is survived by her husband, Ross of the home; two sons, Larry Pickens and wife Ruth of Thomas, Ok, John Pickens of Muskogee, OK; one brother, Donald Eugene Richardson and wife, Glenda of Wichita, KS; one sister, Margaret "Gail" Wood of Jackson, MS; one brother in law Bill and wife Harolene of Wichita, KS, three grandchildren, John Ross Pickens and wife Kelsey, Cole Pickens, and Kelly Pickens; and two great-grandchildren, Jagger and Jax. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials may be made to the Thomas First Baptist Church Music Fund.