Jonesboro - Catherine Blanton Pickens, better known to her many friends by the nickname "Toots," peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, surrounded by her beloved family. "Mamma," as she was affectionately known to her family, was 99 years old. She would have turned 100 on February 25, 2015. Mrs. Pickens was born on February 25, 1915 at Strawberry, to her parents, Ed and Bertha Cathey Blanton. Mrs. Pickens worked for many years as a secretary and teletype operator for Pic-Walsh Freight Company, along with her devoted and loving husband, O.C. Pickens, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Pickens were devoted and involved members of the Downtown Church of Christ. Mrs. Pickens was a sports fan who loved to watch both basketball and football. She loved the Arkansas State University Red Wolves and the Arkansas Razorbacks. She was an avid fan of the Duke University Blue Devils basketball team, largely because of the class and professionalism of her favorite coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Mrs. Pickens was preceded in death by her mom and dad; her beloved and devoted husband of 74 ½ years, O.C. Pickens, Jr.; her eldest son, Jim Pickens; her grandson, Steve McDaniel; and her two sisters, Hazel Blanton and Cuba Callahan. Mrs. Pickens is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dick and Paula Pickens of Jonesboro; her daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Larry McDaniel of Paragould; her daughter-in-law, Sue Pickens of Little Rock; six grandchildren: Mike Pickens of Little Rock, Sandy Pickens Noble (Keith) of Rogers, Karen Pickens Jones (Mark), John Pickens (Amy), and Paul Pickens (Laura), all of Jonesboro, Susan McDaniel Brittingham (James) of Paragould and twelve great-grandchildren. The family wishes to give special thanks to Drs. Danny Grubbs, Anthony White, the Flo Phil Jones Hospice House, and all the many special health care professionals and friends who cared for Mamma in the last few weeks of her life. Visitation will be at 10 am Friday, January 30, 2015, with the funeral services to follow at 11 am, at the Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home on 300 W Matthews Street in Jonesboro with Kenneth Gossett officiating. Immediately following the funeral service, Mamma will be buried in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery, near her beloved O.C., Jim, and Steve. Pallbearers will be Mamma's grandsons, Mike, John, and Paul Pickens, James Brittingham, Keith Noble, and Mark Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Trent, Matthew and Spencer Jones, Rob Pickens, John Paul Pickens, Jake and Nate Brittingham and Luke Pickens. In lieu of flowers for those wishing to send memorials, please consider the Children's Homes in Paragould or Flo Phil Jones Hospice House.