Joanne Pickens

Joanne Louise Pickens -- passed in her sleep February 1st, 2016, in Fenton, Michigan. Private family services will be held. If desired memorial donations are suggested to an organization to benefit veterans. She was the mother of three boys, a wife to four men and lover of everything western. Ironically, Joanne was born in Missouri and spent her formative years in the Midwest. After raising three boys, she finally did head west and spent the next three decades in Northern California, Oregon and Washington, ranching and living the Western life - rescuing burros from the Grand Canyon, raising highland cattle and refurbishing houses. Stunningly beautiful, Joanne loved Zane Grey books, Lipton tea and rescue dogs. As a mostly-practicing Christian Scientist, she never smoked and rarely drank. For the first 85 years of her life, the only time she entered a hospital was to deliver a child. As a mother, Joanne was kind and progressive. She let the kids roam free. She was the type of mom who would lash a rope to her station wagon and drag the boys on a toboggan around the snowy Michigan roads a little too fast. Practical, proud and independent, Joanne ultimately lived her dream of living in the West and writing about it - she self-published several western novels. Joanne is survived by three sons, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.