Mr. Bobby Pickens passed on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Funeral services for Mr. Pickens will be on Thursday, June 20 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1210 S. Elm Eugene Street. The visitation will begin at 11 am and the service will follow at 12 noon. Internment will be at Maplewood Cemetery, 235 Bingham Street.

Bobby Samuel Pickens was the fourth of five children born on August 25, 1948 to Hosea Samuel and Elnora Lane McKoy Pickens in Greensboro, NC.

Affectionately known as "BP" or Bob, Bobby (Bobbie) transitioned home on June 12, 2024, without farewell, at Beacon Place, to dwell in the beautiful city called Heaven after a lengthy illness.

Bobby accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age as a long-time and active member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC. His primary education was in the Greensboro Public School System, graduating from James B. Dudley High School in 1966.

He was a band member in high school and took that interest into college. He entered North Carolina A&T State College where he sought an education in Architectural Engineering, but later changed majors and received his BS degree in Business Administration in 1975 from North Carolina A&T State University.

Bobby went on to work as a sales representative for various national companies across the southeast. He was a man of many talents.

In 1978, he met and married the love of his life Wannalyn. To this union, one daughter was born, Keturah Pickens, who preceded him in death in 1995.

Bobby was one of four co-founders of the NCA&T Alumni Band Association. They were Bobby Pickens, the late Nimrod Perry, Ronald Cooper, and Jean Wilson. His duties included opening and closing the Homecoming suite where he and his wife were in charge of the food and music, making sure everything was in order and ensuring everyone had a great time.

Bobby will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was a devoted son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He is preceded in death by his parents: Hosea and Elnora Pickens; a baby brother: Victor Pickens; his daughter: Keturah Pickens; three sisters: Glenda Fortune, Gloria Thomas, and Judith Alexander.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 45 years: Wannalyn Croom Pickens; a stepson: Hercules Alphie Croom (Constance) of Las Vegas, NV; three nephews: Adrian (Beverly) Fortune of Beach Park, IL, Gregg Thomas of Markham, IL, and Corey (Majja) Alexander of Brooklyn, NY; two nieces: Dr. Candace Fortune of Sacramento, CA, and Ashley (Eric) Wilson of Bowie, MD; one brother-in-law: Ronald Alexander of Brooklyn, NY; a host of grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and other close relatives and close friends.