Ann Raleigh Pickard, 80, of Battle Creek, MI passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 4, 2021 at McLaren Port Huron Hospital. She was born May 8, 1941 in Port Huron, MI.
Ann loved life. She talked often of her early childhood spending time between her families in Kentucky and Michigan and the fond memories she had. She was married to her first husband at age 17 in Port Huron. They started the Marsh Oil Company where she managed the office operations and helped to design the homes that they built. She married Richard J. Pickard on May 7, 1975 at First United Methodist Church. Together they raised eight children that Ann had from her previous marriage. In 1981 they moved to Battle Creek because of his job transfer with Grand Trunk Railroad. Sadly, he passed away on December 22, 2017. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Marysville where she taught Sunday School. Her interests included spending time with her husband watching NASCAR and Formula 1 racing as well as watching ships and monitoring their radio frequencies. She also adored her dog Minnie however her faith and family was always her main priority. She had unbelievable strength of character to raise 8 children and was the living example of love, kindness, generosity and goodness to all of her kids and grandkids. She had such a soft heart and was the rock that held the family together.
She is survived by 7 of their 8 children, Leonard W. (Patricia) Marsh of St. Clair, MI., Joanne L. Grantz of Amarillo, TX., Kathy M. Steele of Port Huron, MI., Laura L. (Matthew) Graham of Clyde, MI., Steven D. Marsh of Battle Creek, MI., Daniel P. (Rhonda) Marsh of Croswell, MI., Tracy R. (Chris) Frey of Battle Creek, MI., 35 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, a brother David Brant King of Memphis, TN, 2 sisters Marsha Witt-Free of Marysville, MI and Leisa King of Lakeport, MI and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents William D. and Hetty A. King, a sister Melinda King-Skelly, a son John L. Marsh, a grandson Michael J. Graham, a brother-in-law Alan Free, and a sister-in-law Linda King.
Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home in Port Huron.
Private family services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. Pastor Ronald Graham will officiate. Friends may view the livestream of the service by visiting Ann’s obituary page on the funeral home website. A reception will follow at 2 p.m., at Crossroads Community Church, 3631 King Rd., China Township, MI. 48059.
Burial will be in Caswell Cemetery, Kimball Township. Pallbearers will be her 6 living grandsons, Kyle Graham, Kirk Graham, Andrew Graham, Leonard L. Marsh, Andrew Marsh and Brandon Marsh.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Haven of Rest in Battle Creek, www.thehavenbc.org or to the Salvation Army, https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com
