Arnola Jean Boyer Pickett

February 10, 1935 – August 17, 2026

Our Mother, Nani, Great Nani and Aunt Jeanie went to heaven peacefully on August 17, 2026 to join her husband, Richard Pickett.

Born as Arnola Jean Fosnight to Reva Fosnight. After her mother and grandmother’s passing, she was lovingly adopted by Willie and Carrie (Purdy) Boyer. Arnola was a life long resident of Sheridan and attended Sheridan High School where she participated in many class activities. She served as class vice-president, played in the orchestra and band, was a member of several service clubs and cheered for four years for the dear old SHS. Arnola was a member of the local Job’s Daughter’s and moved through the ranks to serve as their Honored Queen.

After graduation in 1953, Arnola worked at Indiana Bell in downtown Indianapolis. While there she met her future sister-in-law, Donna Eccles. When Richard Pickett was discharged from service with the US Coast Guard, he courted and dated Arnola and they were wed at the Sheridan First United Methodist Church on November 21, 1954.

Arnola and Richard settled in a small house on 8th Street in Sheridan and lived in one of two homes along that quaint street for the rest of their lives.

Arnola, or Jeanie to her husband and family, loved to cook, clean, shop and travel. She and her husband (often with other family members) visited Alaska, Hawaii, Las Vegas (several times), the Caribbean, Mexico and most of the US States.

Sheridan First United Methodist church was her home church as a child as well as with her growing family. She was a member of the Kionia Circle. As a founding member of the Sheridan chapter of Phi Beta Psi service sorority, she served her community for over 50 years.

After caring for her ailing parents, Arnola wanted to become a nurse. While most women start to settle in at age 49, she attended J. Everett Light Career Center and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1984. She worked at the local doctor’s office and our community nursing home for many years.

Richard and Arnola owned and operated Pickett’s Whirlpool Appliances in Sheridan. Arnola answered the phones, relayed messages, kept the books, coordinated the service calls and deliveries and often diagnosed a faulty appliance over the phone so parts could be ordered. On many occasions, she drove the truck to supply houses to pick up loads of refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers to restock their inventory.

All in all, they were life time partners. Richard and Arnola spent their last days at Wellbrooke of Westfield. If you were lucky, you could catch them going down the hallway to the dining hall, each in their wheelchair, holding hands.

Arnola Pickett is survived by:

4 Children: Kathy (Greg) Bray of Sheridan, IN, Karen (Randy) Pence of Noblesville, IN, Keith (Mary) Pickett of Sheridan, IN and Kevin (Dan) Pickett of Forney, TX

10 Grandchildren: Russell (Juli) Bray of Grand Rapids, MI, Carrie (Nate) Byerly of Kokomo, IN, Robert (Aly) Bray of Zionsville, IN, Richard (Andi) Bray of Columbus, OH, Desi (Andrew) Pauley of Noblesville, IN, Orey Pence of Fortville, IN, Allie (Aaron) Deal of Fishers, IN, Courtney (Mike) Twyford of Sheridan, IN, Andy (Heather) Pickett of Sheridan, IN and Richard (Jordan) Pickett of Deale, MD.

26 Greatgrandchildren: Ruthie, Josiah, Keren, Zander, Warren, Clara, Joe, Zeke, Olivia, Logan, Cora, Lincoln, Leo, Luca, Livi, Kordell, Rylee, Quincy, Raegan, Kaelin, Cooper, Caleb, Brody, Madelyn, Kingsley and Harleigh.

Sisters-in- law: Ruth Pickett Sanders and Winona (Hoover) Moss

And Arnola is preceded in death by:

Her loving husband of 71 years- Richard A Pickett

Her birth mother- Reva Fosnight and grandparents- Ellis and Ida Dean

Her Parents- Willie and Carrie (Purdy) Boyer

Her brother- Clair Dean

Her sister- Dorothy Brattain

Brothers and Sisters in Law- Bryce Pickett and wives Betty Jo and Mary Grace, Donald Pickett, James Pickett and wife Donna, John Smith and Wiley “Bud” Sanders

Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 22, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Sheridan First United Methodist Church located at 207 E. 2nd St. Sheridan, IN. Where family and friends are invited to gather from 12:00 pm till time of services. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Sheridan First Methodist Church or Phi Beta Psi Donna Pickett Memorial Fund.

Everyone is invited to sign the online guestbook, leave a condolence, or share a memory at fisherfamilyfunerals.com. Fisher Family Funeral Services is honored to serve the Pickett Family.