Obituary of Margaret Pickett

Mother Margaret Lee (Holmes) Pickett, “Big Mama”, was born on January 4, 1931 to the union of Presley and Rotelia Holmes in Pineville, Louisiana. She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana under the pastorate of Rev. Curtis. She was joined with Aubrey R. Sanders and to this union seven children were born. Mother Pickett relocated her family to Waukegan, Illinois where she united with the Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan, Illinois under the pastorate of Rev. J. N. Lightfoot. She bought a home in Zion, Illinois and on February 8, 1970 united with the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. B.J. Gaston. She continued in faithful service under the current Pastor, Rev. Robert E. Williams. Mother Pickett was a worshipper, a faithful tither, and a faithful attendee of Sunday School, Bible Class and the adult class of Vacation Bible School. She also attended the McKinley Theological Seminary, Inc. North Shore Branch and earned a GED and a Certificate of Religious Education. She served Mt. Zion in many capacities: B. J. Choir, Kitchen Committee, Willing Workers’ Ministry (Treasurer), Mission Ministry, and the Mothers’ Board Ministry (Treasurer/President). She was employed as a domestic engineer throughout Lake County for several years then later was employed by the Solo Cup Company of Lake Forest; Northwest Molding of Waukegan, where she served as Chief Union Steward; and Food Service Supervisor at Downey Memorial Hospital in North Chicago. After her retirement in 1980, Mother Pickett served the community as a childcare provider for many families. She took courses in Childcare and in 2001 received a license from the state as a Home Day Care Provider. She named her home day care, “Picket Fence Day Care”. In 2005, she began employment with the Mt. Zion Sheila Day Care Center in Zion, Illinois as part of the Grandmothers’ Program sponsored by the United Way. This program was designed for seniors to earn a small stipend and work as aides in local daycare facilities. This was one of her greatest joys – she was doing what she loved – serving her community, her church and her God. Mother Pickett was preceded in death by her parents, Presley Holmes, Rotelia (Holmes) Harris; stepfather, Charles Harris; one daughter, Beatrice Marie Sanders; one son, Danny Ray Sanders; two sisters, Beatrice and Jean Holmes; two brothers, James and John Holmes; special cousins (reared as sisters) Irene (James) Keys, Geneva (Arthur) Johnson, and Frances (Bevin) Joshua; one granddaughter, Gloria Quinn; and one great-great-granddaughter, Cassidy Turnipseed. Big Mama completed her earthly mission when she heard the Master’s call on February 11, 2020. She leaves to cherish and celebrate her life: one son, William (Melva) Holmes, Beach Park, IL; four daughters: Patricia (Anthony) Quinn, Sr., Waukegan, IL; Hester (Ernest) Abbott, Sr.; Rose Peters; Margie (John) Taylor, all of Zion, IL; Anita Butler, St. Louis, MO; Ashley Taylor, Atlanta, GA; Yeoman Second Class Petty Officer Ambria Holmes, Chesapeake, VA; daughter- in-law, Gail Sanders, St. Louis, MO; niece, Barbara (Joseph) Williams, Milwaukee, WI; Twenty-nine (29) grandchildren; Forty-nine (49) great-grandchildren, Twelve (12) great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and a “beloved community of friends”. Services for Margaret will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2500 W. 30th St., Zion, IL. The visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mt. Zion Baptist Church Scholarship Fund would be appreciated.