Janice Rae Pickett

With heavy hearts, the family of Janice Rae Pickett, 83, announces her passing on October 16, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Born on November 29, 1941, to Norman and Arvine Davis of West Frankfort, Illinois, Janice grew up on the family farm alongside her older siblings, Dale and Annice. From an early age, she developed a deep love of animals and was often entrusted with raising orphaned piglets and calves. Among her many pets was a mischievous raccoon named Peewee, and countless dogs and cats that found a home under her care.

Janice attended West Frankfort High School until marrying her high school sweetheart, Dave Pickett, while he was home on leave from the U.S. Army in 1958. Upon graduating high school, she joined Dave in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was stationed as a helicopter maintenance technician. Following his discharge, they returned to Illinois and began building a life together in Kankakee, raising their three children — Annette, Scott, and Tim.

Together, Janice and Dave built a successful business, Dave’s Cycle Sales, selling motorcycles and snowmobiles. In the early years, Janice could be found teaching customers how to ride the motorcycles they rented — always patient, encouraging, and quick to laugh. She later began a career as an optician and worked in the optical field until her retirement.

In 1982, the family moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where Janice and Dave built a beautiful log cabin that would remain their home for the rest of their lives.

Janice was a devoted wife and mother who filled her home with creativity, love, and warmth. She enjoyed making art and crafts that decorated their home, especially during the holidays. Sewing, woodworking, painting, and crocheting were just a few of the many skills she used to create her home’s cozy charm. She loved tending her flowers and feeding the hummingbirds that visited the cabin each summer. Janice was often seen walking one of the tiny Yorkshire Terriers that she and Dave adored through the years.

Janice will be remembered for her devotion to family, her humor, her love of animals and the simple joys of life. She leaves behind cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Janice is preceded in death by her parents, Arvine and Norman Davis, her brother Dale Davis of West Frankfort, Illinois, her brother-in-law Adolf Labianco of Robertsdale, Alabama, and her daughter-in-law Melissa Pickett of Valdosta, Georgia.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John “Dave” Pickett, and their three children: Annette Pickett Garrett of Quincy, Florida, and her children Rourke Garrett (Denise), Kendrah Wilkerson (Jed), Taylor Mashburn (Jacob), Samuel Drzewiecki, Bladen Drzewiecki, Jack Drzewiecki, and Norah Drzewiecki; David “Scott” Pickett of Wellington, Colorado, and his children Jessica Pickholtz (Tim), Dennis Pickett, and Nathaniel Pickett; Timothy “Tim” Pickett of Valdosta, Georgia, and his children Alyssa Godwin (Kendall), Justin Pickett (Kristin), and Paige Pickett. Janice’s great-grandchildren include Joseph, Anna, Ella, Henry, Hudson, Chandler, Emmy Lou, Axle, Maebry, Maggie, Melleena, and Gracie.

She is also survived by her sister Annice Labianco of Naperville, Illinois and her sister-in-law Shirley Davis of West Frankfort, Illinois as well as several nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will forever remember her warmth and kindness.

A celebration of Janice’s life will be held at Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee Florida on November 24th, 2025 at 10:00 am. Following the ceremony family and friends are invited to Dave and Jan’s home to share stories, laughter, and memories of a life well lived.