James Oliver "Sonny" Pickett

James O. Pickett "Sonny" James Pickett "Sonny"was born on August 18th, 1935. He went home peacefully on Friday, June 25, 2021, while surrounded by family. He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Joann Pickett of Carney. He is survived by his children Betty Makintubee and her husband Steve of Chandler, OK, Cherri Brown and her husband Ronnie of Carney, Janet Hall and her husband Lance of Tryon, OK. His grandchildren Michele Hood and her husband Chuck of El Reno, OK, Michael Harris and his wife Joleen of Wellston, OK, Gerad Hall and his wife Samantha of Tryon, OK, Jodi Ortega and her husband Michael of Tryon, OK, Dustin Brown and his wife Jessica of Carney, OK, Lukas Brown and his wife Siara of Perkins, OK, Dylan Makintubee of Chandler, OK. and one sister Donnell Green of Tulsa, OK,17 great grandchildren and 3 great- great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents Oliver and Ruth Pickett of Carney, OK, his brother Lester Pickett, sister Louella Hester, infant siblings Mary-Louise Pickett and Letha & Larry Pickett, as well as one granddaughter, Kristal Harris Sanders. Sonny was born and raised on the family farm south of Carney, OK. He attended Carney Public School where he played basketball. After high school he married the love of his life Joann Skaggs on September 27, 1952. Sonny went to work constructing the original Turner Turnpike while continuing to help on the family farm. He then went to work for Lincoln County driving a road grader for 15 years (1954-1969). He then took over the family farm, which had been in his family since 1893. He moved the dairy in 1967 to its current location, where he and Joann continued to operate the dairy farm for 32 years until May of 1999. Sonny continued to farm and run beef cattle up until his death. He believed in serving his community. He served on the Carney School Board for 24 years, the Carney Cemetery Board for 41 years and was a member of the Carney Christian Church. Sonny never met a person in need he wasn’t willing to lend a hand to. One of his last statements was “It never hurts to help someone” In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Carney Cemetery Association PO Box 218 Carney, OK 74832