Obituaries

James Kenneth Pickett, Sr., 74, of Jasper, Tennessee passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, surrounded by his family.

James Kenneth Pickett, Sr. formally known as Kenny was born to Doc and Helen Pickett on May 7, 1949, in Crossroads, Tennessee. He was a talented athlete who loved sports and playing baseball. He is known around the Sequatchie Valley to be one of the best shortstops the area has ever seen. He graduated from Whitwell High School in the class of 1967. Kenny would soon meet his loving wife Peggy Pickett and begin a journey together in Jasper, Tennessee. He worked for Mississippi Valley Steel as an Iron Worker. He was a coal miner at Tennessee Consolidated Coal. While working for TCC he sustained life-threatening injuries when the mine collapsed. Overcoming his injuries and long-term physical therapy, Kenny decided to pursue a career in Engineering. He began a journey at Chattanooga State earning three degrees, one including a Cad Cam Engineering degree. After graduating from CSTCC, he became an employee for Sequatchie Valley Electric Coop in South Pittsburg, Tennessee where he mapped out all seven counties in the surrounding area on paper that would eventually be transferred to a computer system. Kenny would go on to retire from SVEC in the early 2000’s. He was well known for playing and officiating the Men’s Softball League around the Tri-State area in his off time during the 70’s and 80’s. Kenny dedicated his time to his family and kids all around the community. He served as Coach and the Dixie Youth President for the Jasper Little League Baseball program for many years. Kenny would go above and beyond to make sure every kid had an opportunity to be able to play the game he loved. Kenny loved Tennessee Football and his community, but he prided himself in being a loving husband, grandfather, father and a man of God.

Kenny is preceded in death by his father, Luther Pickett; mother and Helen Thomas Pickett.

He leaves all his memories to his wife Margaret “Peggy” Hampton Pickett; sons, James K. (Haley) Pickett, Jr., Michael Keith Pickett, Nicholas Tilton (Heather) Pickett; brothers, H. T. Pickett, Donald Gene (Sandy) Pickett; sisters, Janice (Jerry) Bivens, Joyce (Allen) Tate; grandchildren, Emily Pickett, Tilton Pickett, Avah Pickett, Preston Pickett, Skyler Pickett, Paislee Pickett, Nicholas Pickett, Colton Pickett; great grandchild, Arwen Grooms, several nieces, nephews, family members and special friends.

The family will hold a visitation on Sunday, November 26, 2023, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm CST at Kimball Tabernacle of Praise, 1491 Battlecreek Road, South Pittsburg, Tennessee 37347.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 3:00 pm CST at Kimball Tabernacle of Praise in South Pittsburg, Tennessee with Pastor Darrell Nunley officiating.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee 37347, 423-942-9500.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tatefh.com.