Mr. Samuel Lee Pickens

PICKENS, Mr. Samuel Lee - age 77, passed away Monday, September 9, 2024, at McLaren Hospital Flint. Family hour 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Pastor John Arnold, Officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, Mi. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Funeral Home 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Mr. Pickens will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Monday, with family present to receive friends from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Samuel Lee Pickens was born May 19, 1947, in Sawyerville, Alabama, to Johnnie and Prezelia Pickens. Samuel was the fifth child out of seven. His siblings included Ruth, Vera, Eugene, Mary, Alfred (Whit), and Vickie. When their father Johnnie passed away in 1953, at seventy-seven years old Sam was only seven. In 1965, Sam graduated from Hales County Training School where he played varsity sports. Later that same year, Sam moved to Flint, MI, to join his sisters Ruth and Vera who were mentors. In 1966, Sam was hired at Chevrolet Metal Fabricating, a division of General Motors Corporation. Subsequently, during 1967, Sam was drafted into the United States Army. He served with the First Air Calvary Division during his tour of duty in Vietnam. He served a year in combat as a Machine Gunner from 1968 to 1969. After surviving an enemy attack and being wounded by mortar fire, Sam was Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant E-5. Following, his military service, Sam returned to General Motors in1969. In 1971, Sam married Patricia (Adams) Pickens. They had two daughters, Shaunda and Brandy. Their union together was over 20 years. In 1991, Sam and Karen Simon’s son Kevin Pickens was born. In 2008, Sam married his best friend & devoted wife, Sharon (Jordan) Pickens. This year, they celebrated 16 years of marriage. In 2007, Sam retired from General Motors after 44 years of employment. During his period at General Motors, he was an active father who supported his children in their endeavors. Sam was a loving grandfather and was a resounding motivator to Braylyn and Gabriella’s academic accomplishments and sport activities. During leisure time, Sam enjoyed traveling, boating, fishing and gardening. Sam was an avid sports enthusiast, a passion he shared with his wife Sharon. On September 9, 2024, Samuel peacefully passed away in his sleep at the age of 77. It was a beautiful, bright sunny day. Samuel Lee Pickens leaves to cherish his memory: devoted loving wife, Sharon Pickens; 2 daughters, Shaunda (Earl) Jones of Grand Blanc, MI and Brandy Pickens; son, Kevin Pickens, both of Flint, MI; 2 granddaughters, Braylyn and Gabriella Jones, both of Grand Blanc, MI; his 4 siblings, Eugene (Jewell) Pickens of Wanaque, NJ, Mary (Dent) Collins of Grand Blanc, MI, Alfred Pickens of Eutaw, AL and Vickie (Rev Jimmy) Fields of Sawyerville, AL; brother-in-law, Tracey (Katrina) Jordan of Flint, MI; best friend, Charles (Breeze) Robinson and not to mention many loving extended family members and friends. Sam was preceded in death by his mother, Prezelia Pickens (1992); father Johnnie Pickens (1953); sisters, Vera Oliver (2022), and Ruth Robinson (1976). Mr. Pickens was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army.

Mr. Samuel Lee Pickens

May 19, 1947 - September 9, 2024