Doretta Pickel's Obituary
Doretta Wood Pickel, formerly of Sand Springs, OK, passed on to her heavenly home on March 28, 2010 in Georgetown, TX. Doretta was born on November 27, 1929 in Beckham County, OK to Burney H. and Lucille (Riddle) Wood. Prior to World War II, her family moved to Sand Springs, OK where Doretta attended school. She was active in 4H club and victory gardens, winning honors with state fair entries. She was a member of the Sand Springs High School graduating class of 1947. After she graduated, Doretta went to work for Frank Wheatly Pump and Valve Co. in Tulsa, OK. It was here she would meet her future husband, James A. Pickel. They married in August of 1952 and moved to Dallas, TX because Jim was hired by Texas Instruments. They finally settled in Garland, TX, where they raised their two children, Vickie and Mike. When the children were in high school, Doretta began working for the Garland Independent School District in the accounting department. She devoted 27 years to GISD, retiring in 1999. She loved her work, fellow co-workers and the responsibilities of her job. Until recently, Doretta and Jim were long-time members of Calvary Baptist Church in Garland, TX. She was devoted to her family, church, career, and friends. She enjoyed various activities such as flower club, baking, candy making, traveling, china painting, playing the piano and shopping. The center of her life was her family, especially her grandchildren and later her six-pound Chihuahua, Misty. Doretta is survived in this life by her husband, Jim; daughter Vickie Renee Emory and husband Gary, son Michael Allan Pickel and wife Julia, all of Georgetown; five grandchildren: Katlyn and Megan Emory, Hillery, Michele and Michael James Pickel; her sister, Laura Jean (Jeanie) Rodriguez and husband Paul; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and mother. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Doretta’s name to the Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Dallas. Please make checks out to: UT SW Med Center/Dr. M. Weiner and send them to: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas TX 75390-9129. Please mark it: ATTN: Dr. Myron Weiner. Visitation and viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 31, 2010 at Restland Funeral Home at 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on April 1, 2010 at the Restland Memorial Chapel. Internment will follow in the Veteran’s Garden IV.
What’s your fondest memory of Doretta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Doretta?
Share a story where Doretta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Doretta you’ll never forget.
How did Doretta make you smile?