Darryl G. Pickens, Sr.

Darryl Gawain Pickens, Sr. was born on March 9, 1960, in Springhill, Louisiana, to Bonnie Jean Thomas Pickens and James Pickens. He lived in Louisiana until age nine, when his mother married Robert L. Hill and the family relocated to Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Darryl attended school in Arkadelphia and graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1978. He was widely known for his charismatic personality and his height. He was a member of the Arabian Knights a local social club that modeled and taught manhood, culture and respect. Following graduation, he left for Lackland Air Force Base in Texas to complete basic training with the United States Air Force. After a brief period of service, he returned to Arkadelphia in the mid-1980s.

Over the years, Darryl was employed with Safeway, Ouachita Baptist University, and the Community Family Enrichment Center. He was also instrumental in helping care for his parents in their later years. He was a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed basketball and music.

Darryl was preceded in death by his father, James Pickens; his mother, Bonnie Jean Hill; his bonus father, Robert Louis Hill; and his brother, Deric Pickens.

He is survived by his children, Darryl “PJ” Pickens, Jr., of Hot Springs, AR and Brandy Pickens of Arkadelphia, AR; his grandchildren, De’Arrius Gawain Pickens, Dae’jon Gawain Pickens, Jaliyah Michelle Allen, Jaeda Mearice Allen, La’mya Nikole Pickens, La’riah Michelle Pickens, and Ja’kayla Marie Pickens; his sisters, Regina Y. Jones of Dallas, TX, Almeta L. Radford of Haymarket, VA, and Kimada Donnell of Brooklyn Park, MN; and his bonus mother, Myrtle Pickens of Minneapolis, MN. He is also survived by his bonus sisters, Letitia, Cheryl, and Phyllis; nieces Summer, Tiffany, and Sydney; his nephews Jordan and Mathias, and his great nieces Breyanna, A’jyla, and Kennedy; aunts, Tina and Tommie; his uncle, Roy as well as cousins, extended family, people who felt like family and friends who loved him dearly.

Submitted by the Family