Syble Joy Picker

Syble Joy Picker, 91, of Searcy, Arkansas, left her earthly home for her heavenly home on Monday, February 23, 2026. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family and God’s Spirit. Syble was born on January 14, 1935, near Ridgely, Tennessee. Her family eventually moved to E. St. Louis, Illinois where she met Fred Picker, Jr. who would become her husband for 74 years until her death. She spent her life devoted to him, raising their Christian family and serving others wherever their path led. They moved to Searcy in 1974 when Fred went back to school at Harding College to enter ministry full-time. That ministry led them to Crossville, Illinois in 1976 before returning to Searcy in 1979 to work with the West Side Church of Christ. Shortly before their retirement they moved to Bratislava, Slovakia in 1991 for a three-year mission effort. Syble was an example of a life of quiet service. For years she helped plan and prepare weekly meals for the Golden Years program serving seniors at West Side, traveled with groups of Sojourners supporting small churches, camps and children’s homes, and volunteered at White County Medical Center. She was honored with the Christian Service Award from Harding University. Whether it was a meal around her dining room table or being greeted by her sweet smile at the hospital check-in desk, her spirit of hospitality was experienced by so many. Syble enjoyed traveling especially any place where there were mountains or beautiful Fall foliage. Snowfalls and long car rides with Fred brought her so much happiness. She would tell you her greatest joy, however, was her family of faithful Believers including 4 children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Fred, she is succeeded by her son, Keith and his wife, Cheryl, of Searcy, Arkansas; her son, Kurt and his wife, Roxy, of Dawsonville, Georgia; her daughter, Brenda Seawel and her husband, Morris, of Searcy, Arkansas; her son, Bruce and his wife, Lauri, of Colleyville, Texas; her sister, Judy Baker and her husband, David, of Shreveport, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Georgia Johnson of West Monroe, Louisiana. Memorial donations may be made to Children’s Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, Arkansas, 72450. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, with family visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Syble Joy Picker

January 14, 1935 - February 23, 2026