Claudia Louise Pickens

Claudia Louise Pickens, 60, of Federal Way, Washington, passed away on August 13th, 2025.

Claudia was born on March 28th, 1965 in Portland Oregon to Shirley and John Sovey.

When Claudia was born in 1965 she lived in a pink house with her family in Portland, Oregon on the famous Peacock Lane. As a little girl she loved walking to the store to buy sweet treats with her cousins. In 1972 Claudia and her family moved to Federal Way, Washington where she attended school. She went to Twin Lakes Elementary, Lakota Middle School, then Decatur High School. Claudia loved to crochet and was quite talented at it, beginning at a young age.

Claudia went to BJ's Cosmetology School and did hair for about 5 years. She later switched to working at US bank. She worked in Seattle at one point. She later worked at Safeway in Juanita, then started working at the Auburn Safeway floral department. She wanted to be closer to her family. Claudia really enjoyed working in the floral department.

Claudia is survived by her father, John Sovey, step-father Wesley Kuhlman, her nephew Pierce Belleman, daughter Ellen Ballardo, son Garrick Pickens, and her two grandchildren, Daisy and Kelly Ballardo. She was preceded in death by her mother Shirley, sister Cindy, nephew Barrett, and former husband Roger. Claudia also has numerous cousins, aunts and uncles who all adored her.