Dallas Wayne Pickens

In Loving Memory of Dallas Wayne Pickens and with heavy hearts, but grateful for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Dallas Wayne Pickens, who peacefully entered into the presence of his Lord on July 18, 2026.

April 4, 1940, Dallas entered this world in unforgettable fashion. He was the only one of Lena’s 8 children born with a doctor present, and came weighing in over 10 pounds at birth—a fitting beginning for the strong, hardworking man he would become.

From an early age, Dallas learned the value of honest work. As a child, he would often catch a chicken for their family to eat for supper that evening. As a young boy, he accompanied his mother while she cleaned houses, earning an occasional 25 cents for picking up sticks. His first paying job was doing yard work for $1.00 an hour, and he often said he thought that was great money.

He attended Kanawha Fork Grade School, Thomas Jefferson Junior High School, and proudly graduated from Charleston High School in 1958.

At just 18 years old, Dallas met the love of his life, Jo Ann. For Dallas, it was love at first sight. The day they met, he confidently told her, “I’m going to marry you.” When brought to her home, Jo Ann’s sister, Barbara, and mom, Loetta, could not get over how much Dallas looked like Elvis Presley. True to his word, the two were married on December 23, 1958, beginning a beautiful love story that would last a lifetime. Together they built a home filled with faith, love, hard work, laughter, and unwavering devotion to one another and to their family.

The newly weds, with their only possession being a small card table, headed to military housing as Dallas answered the call to serve his country by volunteering for the United States Army, serving two years on active duty and one year in active Army Reserve. He proudly served as a Military Policeman, and during the summer while stationed near Lake Michigan, he also worked as a lifeguard. His military service reflected the same discipline, courage, and dedication that would define the rest of his life.

After returning home, his brother, Gene, helped him secure a position with John Agustin Construction through the Laborers Union. Earning $2.57 an hour, Dallas proudly bought his first car and often joked that he thought he was rich. While working there, he quietly learned masonry and stonework simply by watching experienced craftsmen, proving that determination and a willingness to learn could accomplish anything.

To his coworkers, Dallas was affectionately known as “Mule.” It was a nickname earned through incredible strength, tireless determination, and an unmatched work ethic. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do. Whether it was laying stone, building masonry, roofing homes, or taking on any job that needed doing, Dallas believed there was honor in honest work. Many times, the work he did on evenings and weekends earned as much—or even more—than his regular paycheck.

Dallas spent much of his career working as a Blaster, working for several contractors throughout the years. He specialized in using explosives to prepare the way for coal mines and railroads. He took great pride in doing difficult work, helping lay the foundation for what others would build.

Dallas lived a life that reflected many of the quiet virtues taught by Christ. He believed there was dignity in working with his hands and took pride in every job he did. He found peace with his hands in the soil, tending his garden and enjoying the fruits of God’s creation. He loved the fellowship of family and friends. He was faithful—to his beloved wife Jo Ann, to his family, to his work, to his country, and above all, to the Lord. His life was a testimony that greatness is often found not in recognition, but in humility, service, steadfast love, and quiet faithfulness.

When he wasn’t working, Dallas found his greatest joy outdoors. He was an avid hunter and excellent gardener who appreciated God’s creation and the simple pleasures of life. Whether sitting quietly in the woods, casting a line into the water, or tending his garden, he was happiest surrounded by nature. He was known to try to grow anything once, but known especially for Mr. Stripey tomatoes, volunteer pole green beans, the sweetest Ambrosia corn, Sunflowers, sweet and white potatoes, garlic, green onions, squash & zucchini, banana and bell peppers, broccoli, kale, blackberries, strawberries, muscadine and Concord grapes, peaches, apples, black walnuts and much more.

Dallas was a man who genuinely loved people. He treasured fellowship and believed in staying connected with those he cared about. He kept a well-worn phone directory filled with names and numbers and faithfully worked his way through it, making phone calls just to check on friends and family, share a laugh, catch up on life, or simply let someone know they were being thought of. Those conversations became one of the many ways he showed his love.

He also had a lifelong love for Chevrolet Trucks and Massey Ferguson Tractors, although his last tractor was a Ford and we’re still questioning that one.

When it was time to relax, you could usually find him watching a classic Western. He admired stories of courage, loyalty, honor, and doing what was right—values he tried to live by every day.

Although Dallas was known for his incredible work ethic, he was equally known for his wonderful sense of humor. He loved making others laugh with his spot-on Donald Duck impersonation, and his grandchildren will forever cherish the silly little song he passed down through the generations:

“Had a little chicken, it wouldn’t lay an egg.

I poured hot water up and down his leg.

The little chicken hollered, the little chicken begged.

The little chicken laid me a hard-boiled egg.”

Above everything else, Dallas loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He believed in providing for those he loved, leading by example, and teaching life’s greatest lessons not through words alone, but by the way he lived each day.

While our hearts ache in his absence, we find comfort in knowing Dallas has been reunited in Heaven with Jo Ann, the love of his life. Their love story began with a young man who boldly declared he would marry the woman he had just met, and it continued through decades of unwavering love and faithfulness. Though separated for a season, they are together once again in the presence of their Savior.

Dallas leaves behind far more than the roads he helped build, the stone he carefully laid, or the gardens he lovingly tended. He leaves a legacy of faith, humility, perseverance, laughter, faithful service, and unconditional love. His hands built many things during his lifetime, but his greatest masterpiece was the family he cherished and the example he set.

His stories will continue to be told around family tables. His songs will continue to be sung by grandchildren. His phone calls will be remembered by friends. His laughter will echo in countless memories. His faith will inspire future generations. And his love will remain forever in the hearts of those blessed enough to know him.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:21

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Lena Rivers (Songer) Pickens & Wheeler Henry Pickens; his siblings, Josephine(Joe), Violet, Dorthy (Dot), Donald, Gene, Bertha (Mae) and John; his wife of 65 years, Jo Ann (Milam) Pickens; his child, David Henry Pickens; and two infant children, Anthony Dallas and Latisha Darlene.

Those left to cherish his memory are his brothers, Chip (NancyAnn) and Eddie Pickens; his children, Herman Dewayne Pickens and Scott Aaron Pickens (Melissa); his grandchildren, Melinda Williams (Daniel), Scott Pickens, Hannah Cook (Kyle), Bethany Pickens, Noah Pickens(Brooke), Dallas Pickens, Angela, Dustin and Gracie Pickens; his great grandchildren, Scott III, Cameron, Max, Savannah, Madilynn, Oliver, Leo, Amelia , Vicki, Lexi, Sophia, Sadie and Skylar; along with a host of other relatives, friends, and church family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, at their home church, Peniel Community Church, 4718 Ripley Road, Reedy, WV 25270.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages everyone to spend time with those they love, enjoy the outdoors, plant a plant or garden, go hunting, take a child fishing, lend a helping hand to a neighbor, or simply pick up the phone and call someone—because that’s exactly what Dallas would have done.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

www.kellerfunerhome.net