Aubrey Pickens, age 84, of Anderson, passed away at his residence on Thursday, April 28, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 21, 1932, in Elbert County, GA, he was the son of the late Travis R. Pickens and the late Emma Stowers Pickens. For over sixty years, he was the loving and devoted husband of Betty Bailey Pickens of the residence. Mr. Pickens was a graduate of Anderson Boys' High School, and was a veteran, serving in the US Army's 25th Infantry Division during the Korean Conflict. He was employed at Wellington Mill, retiring after forty-six years. He was a historian and an avid genealogist, with works published in numerous books. He was an active member of Southside Baptist Church as long as health permitted. In addition to his wife, Betty, Mr. Pickens is survived by two sons, Rev. David B. Pickens and his wife, Elizabeth, of Abbeville, SC, and Brian A. Pickens and his wife, Shannon, of Darlington, SC; a daughter, Carol P. Ross and her husband Johnny, of Darlington, SC; two sisters, Ruth Brown and her husband, Benny, of Elbert County, GA, and Alma Watkins of Aiken, SC; a sister-in-law, Elease Pickens of Charleston, SC; also surviving are eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Pickens was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Ann Pickens, and two brothers, Andrew Pickens and Marion "Pick" Pickens. The funeral service to celebrate and honor the life of Aubrey Pickens will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016, at 3 p.m. at the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home, with the Reverend J. Floyd Stansell, Jr. and Mr. Farrell Giles officiating. Interment will follow at South Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family will be at the residence and will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Sunday, May 1, 2016, from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Mr. Pickens may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4124 Clemson Boulevard, # L, Anderson, SC 29621. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com. The McDougald Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Anderson. Events Visitation Sunday, May 1, 2016 1:00PM - 2:30PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Funeral Service Sunday, May 1, 2016 3:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Final Resting Place South Lawn Memorial Gardens 1350 Flat Rock Rd. Starr, SC 29684