Loretta Ann Pickens

Loretta Ann Ramsey Pickens, age 83, of Hopedale, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Park Village Southside, New Philadelphia surrounded by her loving family. Born May 25, 1941, in Barnesville, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin D. Ramsey and Roberta B. Burns Ramsey.
Loretta graduated from Barnesville High School and married the love of her life, Clyde Pickens, Jr on September 3, 1960. They worked diligently together on their farm, and she began her role as "homemaker", to the truest sense of the word. She took great pride in making meals from scratch, becoming an excellent cook and baker. They planted a garden, that she would tend and can all the vegetables. She became an accomplished seamstress, sewing and mending clothes for their ever-expanding family. With her generous and giving nature, she taught her children, and many others, about helping those in need, when she became a 4-H adviser to the former Stitch and Hitch 4-H club. She organized numerous food drives, and visits with residents and workdays at the Harrison County Home. She was recognized for her 50-year dedication to the Harrison County 4-H program. She was also a member of the Harrison County Farm Bureau and attended Hanover Methodist Church and more recently, Mt Hope Methodist Church. She had also belonged to Valie Lanes Bowling League. Loretta worked outside the home for 10 years, first at the Harrison County Dept. of Human Services and then as a home health aide for Harrison Community Hospital, prior to her breast cancer diagnosis in 1999. She is a true survivor and won her battle over cancer with the support of her devoted family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clyde, on August 22, 2010, a brother K. Joseph Ramsey and a step granddaughter Regina Whitman.
Loretta will be missed by her loving family that includes children Ray James (Margaret) Pickens of Hopedale, Janice (Mark) Williamson of New Philadelphia, Julie Zobenica of Jewett, Jill (Jim) Valdinger of Scio, Jodi (Ed) Rentsch of Scio and Jaci (Richard) Harding of New Philadelphia; beloved grandchildren Marci Pickens, Ashton (Justin) Rentsch, Alexandria (fiancée Austyn Porter) Williamson, Derrick (Joann) Zobenica, Amanda Zobenica, Tyler Valdinger, Bryant (Katie) Valdinger, Brandon (Lindsey) Pettit, Dana (Amy) Pettit, Zachary (Ashley) Rentsch and Cael and Cole Harding; a brother Michael (Patricia) Ramsey of Bend, Oregon and sixteen great grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 11 am in Koch Funeral Home, 101 W Main St, Scio with Lay Pastor Dorman Mader officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Cemetery, Hopedale. Friends may call Tuesday from 5-8 pm and one hour prior to the service Wednesday, from 10-11 am, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrison County 4-H Endowment Fund. Please make checks to The Ohio State University, in check memo designate: Harrison County 4-H Account 602991. Checks may be mailed to Harrison County OSU Ext Office, 538 N Main St, Cadiz, Ohio 43907.
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