March 7, 1936 – March 17, 2019

MEADVILLE— Services for Rayford Austin Pickering, 83, of Natchez, who died Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Meadville Nursing Home, will be 11 a.m. today at Sarepta Baptist Church in Meadville with the Rev. Jamie Wallace and the Rev. Vance Woodcock officiating.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Franklin Funeral Home in Meadville.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at the church.
Mr. Pickering was born March 7, 1936, in Brookhaven, the son of Pearl and Lottie Emfinger Pickering.
He was a longtime member of Sarepta Baptist Church. He loved gardening, fishing and hunting of all kinds, especially turkey hunting. He worked a number of years for International Paper Company before he retired.
Pickering was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice Pickering; one son, Steve Pickering; two infant daughters, Betty Lou Pickering and Myra Jo Pickering; two infant sons, Audie Pickering and Calvin Ray Pickering; two sisters, Gertrude Bedford and Doris Bedford; and three brothers, Paul, Charles and Jimmy.
Survivors include one daughter, Stacy Whitehead and husband, Keith, of Roxie, and two grandchildren, Molly and Katie.
Pallbearers will be Tim Stevens, Ricky Stevens, Pat Stevens, Jarett Pollan, Randy Stead and Roscoe Thomas.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at franklinfh.com.