Harold Dee Pickering

Harold Dee Pickering, age 74, of Jonesboro, was the eldest son of Elbert Lee(Monk)Pickering and Earlene (Eaton) Pickering. He passed away at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro on Wednesday, November 13th, 2013.

Dee is survived by his wife of fifty years, Martha Cheryl(Broadaway) Pickering, one daughter, Stephanie Gail(Greg)Nall, John Travis (Elizabeth) Pickering, three granddaughters, Savannah & Victoria Nall and Isabel Grace Pickering, two grandsons, Jack & Luke Pickering, all of Jonesboro.

He is also survived by two brothers, Jimmy Ray Pickering and Jerry(Mary Lou) Pickering and five sisters, Wilma(Bob)Wright, JoAnne(Joe)Beason, Sue Neal, Kay(Gaylon)Wimpy & Lynn(Joe)Tubbs all of Jonesboro and one sister-in-law, Karen Pickering of Viola, AR.

He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, his twin, Carroll Dean Pickering(at birth), Emmett Pickering, and Donald Pickering. He is survived by a large number of relatives and friends.

Dee, as he was known, graduated as Vice President of his Valley View High School Class of 1959. He received his printing diploma from A.S.U. in 1961. He worked at the Marked Tree Tribune for five years then the Jonesboro Sun for twelve years. He began farming with his father west of Jonesboro and in the Cole Corner community in 1965 for thirty years.

Dee encountered a great deal of curiosity about his missing leg, especially with young children. His explanation would be that he had gotten it shot off in the Civil War or it had fallen off in a mud puddle. In reality, the umbilical cord had gotten wrapped around his leg before birth and it had withered prior to being born. Although Dee was a one legged man he walked, skated, danced, water skied, and farmed with a wooden crutch most of his life. He was an inspiration to everyone who met him.

His spiritual life began at age nineteen at a revival held by Bro. Jewel McCrackin at Unity Baptist Church. Dee's advice to youngsters was "do the very best you can and keep your head on straight."

Visitation will be Friday, November 15th at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel of Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro followed by the funeral at 7 p.m. with Rev. Jerry Jolly officiating. Burial will be at Herman Cemetery (Hwy 91/18W) on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
The family will receive friends at 5967 Hwy. 49-N, Brookland, AR.
Special thanks to Dr. Michael Isaacson for his expert medical care since 1988.

For lasting memorials please consider the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1138 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, AR 72401 or Herman Cemetery, c/o Boyce Bonham, 326 CR 127, Bono, AR 72416