Mary Rebecca Pickrell

Mary Rebecca (Becky) Pickrell 101, passed away May 18th
2020 at Decatur Illinois Randall Residence/Keystone, where she had lived for over ten years.
Due to Covid-19, a private memorial Service will be July 12 at Illiopolis Christian Church with
Rev. Melissa Ebken officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations in memory of
Becky Pickrell to the Illiopolis Christian Church. Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home is assisting
the family with the services.
Becky was born March 25, 1919 in Springfield, Il. She graduated from Illiopolis High School in
1937 then attended Springfield St John’s nursing in 1940. Her first job was at Decatur St Mary’s
Hospital until she was asked to be a nurse at the Illiopolis Ammunition Plant during War II.
While working at the plant she met her future husband, Martin Groves, and were married
January 19, 1945. She worked as an industrial nurse in St Louis while her husband went to
Logan College to become a chiropractor. After his graduation, Becky became his assistant in
their office in East St Louis. They later opened an additional office in Belleville. They worked
together for over 37 years, until Martin passed away December 28, 1986. She enjoyed many
years of her retirement in Naples, Florida with her sisters and many friends from all over. Becky
was known as the Classic Hat Lady and avid golfer.
On Becky’s 80th birthday, she received a card from an old classmate, John (Jack) Pickrell,
inviting her to dinner. They were married July 12th, 1999. They had a wonderful 5 ½ years
together before he passed away December 21, 2004. She is survived by her step-children,
Carolyn Sundberg, Elizabeth Ruddie (husband, Stanley) Joseph (wife, Marilyn), David, and
daughter-in-law, Bonnie Pickrell. Her nephews: George Ford, Richard Ford, William Sanders
(wife, Marilyn), Jerry Ford (wife, Judy), Robert Tuck (wife, Shirlie) and her niece, Susan
(husband, Kenneth) Brackett.

Preceded in death by: Her parents, William Edward Ford and Anna Dell Lyon Ford, siblings;
Henrietta Ford Maddox husband Harley, Willard Ford wife Georgena, Dorothy Ford Tuck
husband Fred, Jesse Monroe Ford wife Peggy, and Martha Jane Ford Sanders; nephews: Jim
Tuck and Roger Ford. Husbands: Dr. Martin Groves and John (Jack) Pickrell; step-sons, John
Pickrell and Frank Pickrell

Family appreciate and thank the staff at Randall Residents for such good care and love that was
given to Becky. A special Thank-You to her great-niece Becca Massey and her family for all the
loving visits and care.

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