Doris Pickett, 79

HARRINGTON - Doris Pickett, of Harrington, passed away at her home surrounded by her children, on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, after a long illness. She was 79. Doris was born on Sept. 21, 1929, to the late Lewis Baynard and Ella Baynard Ellegood. She attended Benjamin Banneker School in Milford, and later graduated from Delaware State High School. Prior to becoming the secretary of her husband's concrete business, she worked for several years at Libby's Foods in Houston. She was a devoted wife, mother, and daughter. During the illness of her husband and mother, she was at their bedside giving her love, support, and encouragement. Years later as her health failed, her children did the same for her based on the excellent example she had set forth. Doris was a kind, compassionate person. She would always offer up words of comfort and could be relied upon to give sound advice to others. She had a wonderful sense of humor and would often have her children and other family members in stitches with the jokes she would tell. She was very proud of the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. While she did not expect them to be perfect, she did expect them to use the talents and skills she helped to nurture. She enjoyed watching boxing, reading the bible, gospel music, and, yes, even watching roller derby on TV. She enjoyed playing the organ, and one could often hear her playing her music as entered into her home. Doris fought valiantly during her illness and her faith in God and the love of her children kept her going. When the Lord, in his great wisdom, had decided that his daughter's burden was too much to bear, he took her home to be by his side. And she embraced him willingly. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Pickett Sr. in 1992; and their son, John Pickett Jr., who died in 2007. She is survived by her seven daughters, Delores Scott of Milford, Sharon Pickett Lewis (Linwood Lewis) and Rosena Pickett of Felton, Kathy, Vanessa, Debra, and Doretha Pickett of Harrington; seven grandchildren, Michael Scott (and a special friend, Karren Ryan) and Tyneice Scott of Milford, LeVar, Jasmine, and Brandon Manly, of Harrington, Candace Pickett of Harrington, and Johnny Pickett of Wilmington; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth Faulkner of Wilmington; brothers-in-law, Bennie and Frank Pickett of Pattersdon, N.J.; sisters-in-law, Hattie Stuckey of South Carolina, Janie Holmes of Roselle, N.J., Carrie Brisbin and Bernice Martin of Patterson, N.J., Sophie Baynard of Willingboro, N.J., Quenn Elizabeth Holmes of Virgina Beach, Va., and Dorsey Baynard of Wilmington; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday April 15, at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 717 West Division St., Dover. Public may attend an hour earlier prior to service. Interment will be at Sharon Hill Cemetery.