Mary Ellen Pickett was born on November 17, 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the fifth of six children born to the late James and Elizabeth Wallace. She was baptized and took her first Holy Communion as a child at St. Pius Catholic Church. She later joined the St. John AME Zion Church under Rev. Chappell. She was very active in the church, and she worked in the Victory Club, was the Women's Day Chairman, and on the Praise Dance Team. She sang in the Gospel and Mass Choirs, and she worked in the Soup Kitchen. Mary attended Courter Tech High School in 1964 and graduated from Hughs Adult Center. In 1968, she married her husband of 45 years, John Wayman Pickett Jr. To this union five children were born, one preceded her in death as childbirth. On June 11th, exactly 7 years after the loss of the child, they were blessed with the youngest son, Marcus. Mary began her retail career at Shillito's Department Store. From there she advanced her career to Gentry Men's Clothing, where she worked 20 plus years until they closed. She then went to Meijer's, where she remained, until her health declined. She was very artistic and talented. She enjoyed sewing, drawing, painting, and singing. She introduced her family to bowling. Her love of animals led her to develop a passion for English Bulldogs. She bred and placed her English Bulldogs into Shows. Mary was also very active in organizing her family reunion. She knew her family history, and she made it a priority to educate all of her family on their history. She was gifted and excelled in all that she did. One of her greatest gifts and skills was cooking. She took cooking as her ministry at Church. In 2008, Mary was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Her illness made her stronger. Mary loved her family unconditionally. Even in her pain, she made her family feel at ease. She prepared her family and friends for this day with her words. her strength and her courage. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband John; her children, John Wayman Pickett III and his wife DeAnna, Janine Michelle Shelborne and her husband Lawrence, James Allen Pickett and his wife Shanta, Marcus Stephen Pickett and his wife Renita; sisters, Theresa Jackson and her husband Eddie, Marsha Dugan; brother, Gregory Wallace; grandchildren, Joseph, Stephaine, Joshua, John IV, Mary. JaShawn, Joycelyn, Jasmine, Jayla, Elizabeth, DeJah, Leah, Marcus Jr., Isaiah, Kailyn and Tess. Great-grandchildren Ethan and Arielle. Special friends Rosemary Luther and Margie Bridges, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and friends. Two siblings preceded her in death, Dorothy Richardson and Richard Bradley. Grandchildren Joseph, Stephaine, Joshua, John IV, Mary. JaShawn, Joycelyn ,Jasmine, Jayla, Elizabeth, DeJah, Leah, Marcus Jr., Isaiah, Kailyn and Tess. Great-grandchildren Ethan and Arielle. Special friends Rosemary Luther and Margie Bridges, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and friends. Funeral Service at 12 noon on Saturday, July 12 at St. John AME Zion Church, 425 Forrest Avenue, Cincinnati (45229) with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Spring Grove Cemetery.

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