Constance Swetenburg Pickens ("Patsy"), beloved mother and grandmother, departed this life at the age of 82 years at Clemson Downs Retirement Community on June 11, 2016. She was predeceased by her parents, John Richard Swetenburg and Constance Pratt Swetenburg of Anderson; her husband of 48 years, Harold Andrew Pickens, Jr. (2001); and her third son, Michael Neil Pickens (1982). Born and raised in Anderson, Patsy attended Girls High School, where she served as student council president and graduated in 1951 with Bailes Ring and DAR Citizenship Honors. She thereafter attended Converse College, where she studied art under August Cook. A lifelong, active member of her beloved First Presbyterian Church, for many years Patsy volunteered regularly there with great enthusiasm, most recently providing administrative assistance in the church office and offering her unique artistic talents to create wall murals and backdrops for special church programs, events and publications. In earlier years, she taught children's Sunday school classes (various ages) and frequently assisted with operations in the nursery. Patsy also served on the Bereavement Committee for many years and was an Honorary Life Member of Presbyterian Women. Along with her church, Patsy kept her family and friends at the center of her life. She raised four sons and steadfastly offered her love and support in their diverse life pursuits, traveling to distant points on the globe to share and support their milestone events. Whether helping with Foothills Pony Club events or volunteering with the TL Hanna Athletic Boosters, Patsy committed herself fully to all she undertook, including her compassionate care for her own mother and mother-in-law in their later years. She also cherished her three grandchildren and sought to be a positive active presence in their lives, encouraging them to strive toward their potential. Finally, Patsy loved her friends dearly and went the extra mile to support those in need, particularly those sick or shut in during their later years. Patsy is survived by her sons, Harold Andrew Pickens, III (Ann) of Greenville, Robert Christopher Pickens (Maria Paz) of The Woodlands, TX, and George David Pickens (Yuriko) of Matthews, NC; three grandchildren, Andrew Connor Pickens and Kevin Michael Pickens of Chapel Hill, NC and Abigail Pratt Pickens of Greenville; and one brother, John Richard Swetenburg, Jr. (Catherine) of Clinton, SC. The family will greet friends and family at the McDougald Funeral Home on Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Following a private family committal service, a memorial service will be held on Friday, June 17 at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Dr. Dennis R. Tedder officiating. The family requests memorials be made, in lieu of flowers, to First Presbyterian Church, 302 West Whitner Street, Anderson, SC 29624 or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com. The McDougald Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Anderson, SC Events Visitation Thursday, June 16, 2016 5:00PM - 8:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Funeral Service Friday, June 17, 2016 2:00PM First Presbyterian Church Anderson 302 W. Whitner Street Anderson, SC 29625 Phone: (864) 225-2551 Final Resting Place Forest Lawn Memorial Park 2609 U. S. Highway 29 North Anderson , SC 29621