John Pickens

John Pickens, 65, passed away on January 18, 2025, in Cleveland, TN. In 1980-1983 He attended CNI to earn his Bachelor's Degree. In 1984 John went to Asia to be a missionary and met a Chinese businessman on fire for God and wanted to do mission work. They traveled to Sabah, Malaysia to a small village called Tagaroh. Where this was a bible school. John met his future wife Suzie who was one of the student's there. John lived in Singapore, but kept returning to Sabah, Malaysia to teach in the bible school with a missionary from England.

In July, 1985 John and Suzie got engaged and was wed in January of 1986. They have been married for 39 years. In 1993 they returned to the United States, where John furthered his education by attending the School of Theology and graduated with an MDIV. in 1996 and 1997 He went to Indonesia for an internship at Bethel Seminary for the Church of God. They returned to Sabah, Malaysia which had became a muslim country. By 2000, he had started a Church of God there.

He has been a Missionary for over 40 years. John touched many peoples lives and led many to Christ.

He stayed true and faithful to God through many trials and adversities.

John and Suzie had four children that survive John.

Jordan Pickens, Jeremiah Pickens, Joshua Pickens, and Jessie Pickens. He is also survived by a grand daughter Maggie May Pickens. John is survived by Suging"Suzie" Pickens - spouse, his brother Gary Pickens and his mother Emalee Guildner.

John is preceded in death by William Pickens - father and his brothers, Bruce Pickens, Randy Pickens, Donald Pickens.

The service for John Pickens will be held on Tuesday, at 12:00 PM at South Cleveland Church of God.

Visitation: Tuesday, at 11:00 AM at South Cleveland Church of God.

Burial: Hiwassee Memorial Gardens, Cleveland, TN.