Pickens, Rueben B.

Passed: 1934-03-29

Age: 82

Source: Mountaineer

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1934-04-05

Information: DEATH CLAIMS R. B. PICKENS  Prominent Silverton Man is Stricken Thursday; Rites Held on Saturday Afternoon R.B. Pickens, died at his home at Silverton early Thursday of last week.  Mr. Pickens only lacked 16 days of being 82 years old at the time of his death.  He had been in ill health since the first of the year but was not taken seriously ill until the evening before his death.  Funeral services were held from the home Saturday afternoon conducted by Rev. T. L. Miles and Rev. Swain.  The pallbearers were the members of his fraternity at Athens University.  Burial in the Ravenswood cemetery. Mr. Pickens was one of the leading citizens of his county.  He was respected and honored for his ability and a man of unusual honesty and integrity.  To know him was to know a gentleman of culture and refinement.  He was typical of the dignity of that noble class, a southern gentleman. Mr. Pickens was born near Silverton, where he spent practically all his life.  He was one of the best informed men of the county.  He was a student of present governmental matters and in the few weeks before his death when he was unable to read, so anxious was he to keep informed, he had his wife to read the daily news to him. R.B. Pickens, son of William B. and Elizabeth Douglass Pickens, was born April 14, 1852, in Jackson County, and departed this life March 29, 1934 at the age of 81 years, 11 months and fourteen days. He joined the Sand Creek Baptist Church at an early age, being baptized at the age of fourteen.  It was in the winter season which necessitated the cutting of thick ice for the services.  Later he was made a deacon of this congregation. He attended such subscription schools as the county afforded at that time.  Later attending the Academy at Ravenswood which prepared him to enter a university.  He was graduated from the Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, in the year 1876.  After graduation he followed the teaching profession for a number of years.  During this time he was principal of the Ravenswood Schools for four years.  He also served on the Board of Examiners of Jackson County for several years.  He and Mary Catherine Stone, daughter of Elias and Ollie Elizabeth Stone were united in marriage May 23, 1882.  The parents of both were pioneer residents of Jackson county.  To this union were born nine children three of whom preceded him in death.  He and his family united with the Silverton U. B. Church in the year of 1894.  Soon after he was elected Sunday School Superintendent, serving faithfully for eighteen years.  He lived his entire life in this community where he humbly tried to serve as a desirable and useful citizen.  He and Mrs. Pickens had the priviledge of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary among friends and relatives nearly two years ago.  He is survived by his loving wife and the following children:  Mrs. Ollie Elizabeth Cayton of Harrod, Ohio; John Grover Pickens, Silverton; Mrs. Sallie Gladys Whitlach of Nelsonville, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Madge Rothermel of Athens, Ohio; Paul Pickens, Ravenswood; and Roy Douglass Pickens of Cleveland, Ohio; also eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  And one sister.  He departed this life with malice toward none and with love and respect for all.