Charlene B. Pickens

Charlene B. Pickens, age 90, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in Lake Placid, Florida. She was born on November 5, 1924 in Wilton, North Dakota to the late August F. and Beatrice (Pope) Backman. Charlene had been a resident of Highlands County since 1989 coming from Springfield, Illinois. Prior to that, Charlene worked as a bookkeeper for the West Aurora School District and later she kept the books for the Wayside Cross Rescue Mission both in Aurora, Illinois. In Springfield, she worked for Cook Witter Corporation. She was a member of The Gideon International Auxiliary and First Baptist Church of Placid Lakes. Over the years, in her spare time she enjoyed traveling and needlework. Charlene is survived by her two sons: Walter Pickens (Katherine) of Covington, Georgia; Stanley Pickens (Atsuko) of Monroeville, Pennsylvania; and one daughter: Carolyn Sellers (Gary)-Lake Placid, Florida; seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband: Virgil Lee Pickens, grandson: Walter Pickens, Jr, brother: Walter H. Backman, and sister: Mildred Griggs, There will be a funeral service on Monday, February 16, 2015, 11:00am, at First Baptist Church Placid Lakes with Pastor Jeff Taylor officiating. The family will begin receiving friends at 10:00am prior to the service. Burial will take place at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made in Charlene's memory to The Gideon's International, 307 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870 (www.gideons.org) Arrangements entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home (863) 385-0125 Online condolences may be left at: www.stephensonnelsonfh.com