Elaine J. (Howard) Picketts

Elaine J. Picketts, 90, of Marshall, Michigan passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at Best Care Plus West in Marshall, Michigan.

She was born on April 12, 1931 to Theodora Mitchell in Granville, Ohio. When her mother died unexpectedly, Elaine was placed up for adoption. At the age of nine months she was adopted by Guy and Virginia (Grimm) Howard. Elaine married Leonard S. Picketts Jr. on July 27, 1948 in Longview, Texas.

Along with being a homemaker, Elaine held several part time jobs which included working several years for Brooks Rupture Appliance in Marshall and also delivering the weekly paper for the Marshall Advisor. Elaine was a member of the Fredonia Holiness Church.

Elaine had a great love of nature and of all God’s creatures. Whether she was rehabilitating a baby raccoon to release back into the wild, bottle feeding a newborn orphaned kitten, or advocating for a mistreated dog there was nothing she wasn’t willing to do for an animal in need. Elaine was outgoing and had an adventurous soul. She was always ready to jump at the chance to have fun and try something new. She was well into her 80’s when she went zip lining for the first time and loved it when her son in law taught her how to kayak. She never met a stranger and made many lasting friendships in her lifetime. She was always ready to lend a hand or an ear. She especially had a way with young children. She said it was because she was still a kid herself and had never learned to “grow up” and would jokingly refer to herself as Peter Pan. True to her nature, she was still able to laugh and have fun even as her health failed. She had built a special bond with five year old Devion who lived adjacent to her Living Center. They spent many hours playing games together. Any time Elaine was feeling down all you had to do was ask her how Devion was and she’d laugh and then tell of what mischief they’d gotten into.

Elaine is survived by her loving spouse; Leonard, her two daughters; Julia Jenkins of Marshall, Michigan and Lisa (John) Picketts-Whitney of Marshall, Michigan, her grandchildren; Michele Picketts-Smith, Guy Picketts Jr., Jason (Lisa Nyland) Mazzulla and Matthew Picketts, her six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, Leonard (Sonny) Picketts III, and Guy Picketts, Sr., and her sister, Evelyn Starr.

Interment has already taken place at Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall, Michigan.

Memorials are suggested to the All Species Kinship (A.S.K.)- PO Box 4055 Battle Creek, Michigan 49016.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://kempffuneralhome.comto view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.