Donna Lou (Welch) Pickett, 78, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly, Monday (November 5, 2012) at her home.

The daughter of Warren Hugh and Elma Ellen (Taylor) Welch, she was born September 28, 1934 in Kirksville, Missouri. On March 22, 1953 in Kirksville, Missouri, Donna was united in marriage to Carrol Pickett who preceded her in death on September 20, 1991.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Jim Welch.

Donna is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Tim and Cindy Pickett of Hannibal, MO, Jeff and Stacy Pickett of Kirkwood, MO, Bruce and Karen Pickett of Warrensburg, MO and Chris and Terra Pickett of Hallsville, MO; two daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Sia Ataee of Des Plaines, IL and Candee and Doug Stanley of Kirksville, MO; nineteen grandchildren, Sara Ataee, Ryan Pickett, Josh Pickett and wife, Esther, Katie Pickett, Kyle Pickett, McKenna Pickett, Zach Pickett, Wyatt Pickett, Niki Shouse and husband James, Jamie Pickett, Rudd Pickett, Jada Pickett, Carlee Pipes, Chelsee Pipes, Emma Stanley, Drew Pickett, Jax Pickett, Ella Pickett and Jake Harriman, as well as six great-grandchildren.

Donna was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1952. She worked a number of years with the family business (Welch’s Grocery.)

She enjoyed gardening, watching Cardinal baseball, watching Chicago Bulls basketball, cooking, collecting cook books and social networking on Face Book.

Donna was a member of Kirksville Baseball/Softball Association and of the Kirksville Booster Club.

Public visitation will be held Thursday (November 8, 2012) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday (November 9, 2012) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Dan Welch and Pastor Jim Pitney presiding. Interment will follow the service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Tim Pickett, Bruce Pickett, Rudd Pickett, Ryan Pickett, Kyle Pickett and Josh Pickett.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Donna Pickett may be made to the Kirksville Booster Club. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.