Funeral services for Mr. Rayford Austin Pickering will be on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at Sarepta Baptist Church in Meadville, MS at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow in the Sarepta Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Jamie Wallace and Bro. Vance Woodcock will be officiating the services, with Franklin Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be at Sarepta Baptist Church on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 10:00 AM until time of service at 11:00 AM.

Mr. Pickering, 83, of Natchez, MS, passed from this life on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Meadville Nursing Home. He was born on March 7, 1936 in Brookhaven, MS, to Mr. Pearl Pickering and Mrs. Lottie Emfinger Pickering.

He was a long time member of Sarepta Baptist Church. He loved gardening, fishing and hunting of all kinds, especially turkey hunting. He worked many years for International Paper Company before he retired.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Pearl and Lottie Emfinger Pickering; wife Janice Pickering; son Steve Pickering; 2 infant daughters, Betty Lou Pickering, Myra Jo Pickering; 2 infant sons, Audie Pickering, Calvin Ray Pickering; 2 sisters, Gertrude Bedford, Doris Bedford; 3 brothers, Paul, Charles, and Jimmy.

Survivors are his daughter, Stacy Whitehead and husband Keith of Roxie, MS and grandchildren, Molly and Katie.

Pallbearers are Tim Stevens, Ricky Stevens, Pat Stevens, Jarett Pollan, Randy Stead, and Roscoe Thomas.