Photo courtesy of B.W. Foster Funeral Home - Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH, Virginia
1926 - 2017
PORTSMOUTH- James McCaw Pickrell, Sr. passed away at his home on December 30, 2017 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on May 7, 1926 to George McCaw Pickrell and Sarah Powers Pickrell. He graduated from Churchland High School in 1944. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in England and Germany.
James was a graduate of the College of William & Mary (1950) and the Marshall Wythe School of Law at William & Mary (1952). Following graduation, he was an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He left the FBI to join the law firm of Kellam & Kellam in 1953. He practiced law for 62 years. The firm continues today as Kellam, Pickrell, Cox and Anderson.
He enjoyed a full life–sailing for 30 years on his beloved “Paxtu” as well as extensive travel experiences.
He was predeceased by his parents; brother, George McCaw Pickrell, III; and granddaughter, Sarah Wesley Pickrell.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janice Quick Pickrell; daughters Elizabeth P. Abiles (Jose) and Janice P. Anderson (James); son James M. Pickrell, Jr. (Amber); and grandchildren McGlensey P. Antonucci (Rick), Peter J. Abiles (Jessica), James N. Anderson, Courtney A. Mayo (Ben), James M. Pickrell, III and Robert W.Q. Pickrell.
His family would like to thank Dr. Kevin D. Wilson and Dr. Dae B. Chough for many years of excellent care.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00a.m. Monday, January 8, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 Court St., Portsmouth. A private burial will follow at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Memorial gifts may be made to the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, P. O. Box 2156, Norfolk, Virginia 23501-2156. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.
I had many dealings with Jim through my law practice as Chesapeake City Attorney. He possessed high ethical standards and earned respect from all he interacted with. His long time secretary Martha Mae Baldwin was my neighbor in my youth and always spoke highly of him.
Ron Hallman
December 28, 2024 | Chesapeake, VA | Coworker
My sincere condolences to the family. I will always have such fond memories of Mr. Pickrell from attending the law firm's Christmas parties with my Dad when I was a kid. Such a warm and personable man. Keeping you all in my thoughts.
Margaret Cox
January 07, 2018
Dear Pickrell Family: We send you our love during this time. It was a joy to read the obituary for Jim's Dad and see a long life well lived! The Browns
January 07, 2018 | Norfolk, VA
You have loss someone very special. A beautiful person, who touched the hearts of many. This is a traumatic time for the family; however, as you come together during this time of bereavement, may you find comfort in each embrace you receive from family and friends. But most importantly rely on the God of all comfort who promises to give you the strength needed to cope with your loss. And as time goes by, may cherished memories of your husband/father help bring you inner peace and make him...
Williams Family
January 06, 2018
I just learned of Mr. Pickrell's passing today. My condolences to the family. He and his daughter represented 3 generations of our family. Always wanting to know how all our family was doing, he then took care of legal affairs with professionalism and compassion. He was always a man of integrity. He will be missed. Craig Vitasek
CRAIG VITASEK
January 05, 2018 | Norfolk, VA | Friend
My condolences to the family. I will always have fond memories of Mr. Pickrell during the time of my employment at the law firm. He was a true gentleman and cared about the well being of his staff and their families. He will truly be missed.
Dianne Radford Edmondson
January 05, 2018 | La Vernia, TX
I knew Jim through his work as an eminent domaine defense attorney. The locality I represented frequently had to condemn properties needed for public improvements, and he handled many of these cases on behalf of property owners. He was a tough opponent and always displayed the highest ability and integrity. Although we differed many times on opinion of land value, he gained respect from everyone for the fair manner in which he represented his client's interests. He will be greatly missed.
Ron Hallman
January 05, 2018 | Chesapeake, VA
Dear Jim and Amber
We are so sorry and wish to send our sincere condolences to you and your family. Your father was a friend to my father, my mother and me. Whenever help was needed, he was there for us. We will miss him.
Doris and Dan Warman
Doris Warman
January 04, 2018 | Norfolk, VA
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Pickrell. He was a true friend to our family. May you all be comforted by the love and peace of God, family, and friends during this difficult time.
Doris Warman and Phoebe Hitson
January 03, 2018 | Norfolk, VA
