Teresa Pickett

Teresa Elaine Lois (Dotson) Pickett, 61, of Poughkeepsie, departed this life Saturday, July 26, in Batesville, after battling the autoimmune disease CREST syndrome for more than a decade.

She was born Sept. 20, 1963, in Walnut Ridge, to Glenn L. and Bessie L. Perry Dotson. Teresa was of the Baptist faith and spent many years teaching Sunday school, playing the piano and serving as church secretary and treasurer, in addition to the integral role she served alongside her husband in his pastorate. She dedicated her life to caring for her family as a homemaker, worked as an administrative assistant for more than 20 years and maintained the finances of the Pickett family farm and Pickett Brothers Sawmill.

Teresa was whip smart – reading the dictionary for fun, quizzing her daughter on Bible trivia and always being quick to help her husband find a word or verse when he was preparing his sermons. Teresa loved fiercely and created a feeling of home – she'd do anything within her power to help those she loved, being the caretaker for her beloved mother for many years and later her ailing brother. She would have moved heaven and earth for her husband and daughter, loving them beyond measure.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Jackie Pickett, of the home; daughter Tiffany Pickett of Conway; sister, Kathryn Dotson Richmond and husband Larry of Mammoth Spring; brother, Dr. Laurence Dotson and wife Gail of Anaheim Hills, Calif.; several nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Glenn Jr., Sam and Steve Dotson; and sister, Patricia Dotson Groves.

Visitation was Tuesday, July 29, from 5-7 p.m. at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Williford.

The funeral service is today, July 30, at 2 p.m. at the church with Bro. Charles Morgan and Bro. Jim Pagan officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near Sitka.

Michael Dotson, Robert Honeycutt, Buddy Hughes, Charlie Martin, Michael Pickett and Rickey Pickett will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Laurence Dotson, John Frame, Gene Pickett and Larry Richmond.

Arrangements are entrusted to Doty Family Funeral Service of Salem.