Ira Mae Pickens

Ira Mae Pickens was born March 13, 1935, in Warren, Arkansas. She was the first daughter of loving
parents, Derrick and Rosa Steppes and the sister to six siblings. She was preceded in death by her
parents and three brothers—Derrick Jr., Terry C., and Charles.
Ira was raised in a Christian family. At a young age she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. She
attended and was baptized at St. James AME Church. As a teen, she traveled across Arkansas with the
“Jubilettes”, a church singing group. She joined Mt. Carmel H.A.B.C. under the leadership of Rev. Mason
G. Owens. She loved going to Sunday School and she enjoyed the fellowship of the women in her
Sunday School class. She was also a member of the Mission choir. Ira loved to sing. One could often
hear her singing or humming spirituals to herself.
At Bradley County High School in Arkansas, Ira was an excellent basketball player and voted “Most
Popular”. She had an infectious smile. She was also very smart and was the Valedictorian of her class.
Although she did not attend college right after high school, she graduated from Southwest College with
an AA degree in Real Estate. Then at age 50, she received a BA in Education from California State
University, Dominguez Hills. This was after having raised six children.
Ira married Emmett Pickens, her high school sweetheart (whom he called Mae). To that union six
children were born—three Arkansans and three Californians. Together they shared a life of love that
spanned over 6 decades.
Ira loved shopping at thrift stores, before this became fashionable. Her children were always well
dressed with “designer” clothes. She also liked shopping and selling at the swap meet. This was her
favorite pastime for years. She and her sister, Barbara, would load up a van and head out early in the
morning, returning in the afternoon too exhausted to unload—a chore she happily left to her children.
Most of all, Ira loved her family with an unconditional love. Her home was warm and inviting. It was
open to anyone at any time. She was a terrific cook and happy to share her recipes. Ira loved Christmas
because it was a time when family and guests, gathered for Christmas brunch. She ceremoniously
handed out socks to all the males and trinkets, which she had shopped for all year long, to the women.
She was a great wife, mother, a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a wonderful
sister, aunt, cousin, and friend—all of whom will deeply miss her and mourn her passing.
On October 26, 2022 Ira Mae Steppes Pickens left this earthly vessel in her home with her loving
husband and family by her side. She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: her husband
Emmett Pickens, her children: Barbara Rose Johnson (David), Linda Pickens, Kenney Pickens
(Charmaine), Robin Carr (Preston), Lisa Taylor (Kevin), and Dwight Pickens (Sherice); grandchildren
Maya Smith, Michael Johnson, Melinda Johnson, Peter Carr, Russell Carr, Ryan Hunter, Jordan
Washington, Michele Pickens, Kayla Pickens, Sheena Wallace, Andre Pickens, Aliyah Pickens & Kyle
Pickens; 10 great grandchildren; brother Bernard Steppes (Brenda), and sisters Barbara Boxley and
Athlene Matlock; several cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of life-long friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ira Mae Pickens, please visit our floral store.