Obituary: Anne Bruce Pickens
Anne Bruce Pickens departed this world to be with The Lord on All-Saints Day, November 1, 2020 at her home in Sun City West, Arizona.
She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Emory J. “Jim” Pickens, a son, James B. Pickens (Esther) of Tempe, AZ, a daughter, Elizabeth Anne “Betsy” Pickens of Columbia, MO; two grandsons Justin and Jared Pickens of Arizona, numerous nieces and nephews, and a special and loving “Adopted” Family, the Talamantes’ of Puerto Penasco, Sonora.
She was preceded in death by her Father, Lt. Col. Kenneth B. Shute and her Mother Ana (Sponagle) Shute, her Sister, Margaret “Peggy” Tousignant and a nephew, David Tousignant.
Anne grew up in Gloucester, MA during The Great Depression. Due to her Father’s WWII service and death, she was given a scholarship to attend the prestigious Simmons College in Boston, where she excelled and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics.
Adventure beckoned Anne westward to Eastern Arizona where she served as a social worker for Navajo County Dept. of Welfare, then she taught Home Economics at the Indian School in Whiteriver and at the Indian School dormitory in Holbrook, where she met and married Jim Pickens on October 29, 1958.
Anne and Jim owned and operated numerous businesses over the ensuing 25 years, including a Western Auto Store, numerous service stations and a famous landmark restaurant in Williams called, Rod’s Steak House. She was active in the service of the Episcopal Church and was a 4-H Leader in Williams.
They enjoyed a wonderful retirement together over 36 years, traveling all over the continent in their R.V. and enjoying the company of good friends too numerous to count and with a loving extended family.
We all were blessed to have her in our lives, and she will be greatly missed.
No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org. Remembrances may be left for her online at caminodelsol.com/obituaries
- Prescott council considers buying $7.55M bank building to replace 59-year-old City Hall
- Historic Route 66 Car Show to return to Williams in June
- 97 pounds of meth, 7.5 pounds of heroin found during I-40 traffic stop near Flagstaff
- Public feedback sought for proposed Williams Pozzolan Mine
- Business Beat: Hunger Square brings a taste of India to Williams
- Domed luxury resort to open south of Grand Canyon
- More than 5,000 people go to illegal party in Arizona forest
- Carriage horse crashes into Rod's Steak House after pit bull attack on Route 66
- Grand Canyon east entrance to reopen April 8
- House fire caused by explosion claims one at Boquillas Ranch north of Seligman
- Williams woman dies in afternoon house fire
- Excavation underway on coaster park in Williams
- Prescott council considers buying $7.55M bank building to replace 59-year-old City Hall
- School bus driver to be charged with DUI in October crash
- Historic Route 66 Car Show to return to Williams in June
- Obituary: Ernesto “Ernie” Lugo Jr.
- Spring Break crowds flock to Grand Canyon as east entrance remains closed
- Carriage horse crashes into Rod's Steak House after pit bull attack on Route 66
- Fugitive killed in shoot-out with deputies in Prescott Valley
- Hundreds of motorists spend night on I-40 after snow storm closes highway
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Click Below to: