A Man of Great Faith and Strength Bishop Rufus Pickett was born July 9, 1932 in Maple Hill, North Carolina to loving parents, Alonza and Nancy Pickett. Rufus was the sixth child out of eleven children born to Alonza and Nancy. On Saturday, November 19, 2016, God welcomed him home. For 84 years, Bishop Pickett lived a life marked by hard work and perseverance, love of family and faith in God.

At a young age, Bishop Pickett gave his life to the Lord and became a member of Greater St. Paul United Holy Church in Maple Hill. He was educated in the Pender County School System and relocated to Baltimore, Maryland in 1961. While in Baltimore, Bishop Pickett’s professional aspirations and call to ministry began to flourish. Bishop Pickett was an employee of Ryder Truck Rental in Baltimore from 1969-1973. While working for Ryder Truck Rental, he suffered a near-fatal accident that crushed his L1-L5 lumbar vertebrae. He was the first bone fusion patient in the United States. Recovering from this accident propelled him to start his own business and Pickett’s Way Transportation Services opened in 1974.

In 1968, Bishop Pickett was licensed to preach the Gospel and ordained on October 23, 1969 in Holy Tabernacle of God Church, Inc. in Baltimore. In 2001, he was called to pastor Holy Tabernacle Church in Baltimore, Maryland and subsequently consecrated to the office of Bishop in 1969. Throughout his life, Bishop Pickett was called to shepherd nine churches between Pennsylvania and North Carolina. He was a proud member of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Maple Hill at the time of his death.

Though proud of his professional accomplishments and deeply devoted to the call of ministry, it was his family that was the source of Bishop Pickett’s greatest joy. On August 29, 1953, Bishop Pickett married the love of his life, Mrs. Zadie Mae Pickett, and they were married for sixty years. He was the proud father of four children: Melvonna, James, Patricia and Byron. Bishop Pickett was a true lover of life. He had a special love for cars, dogs and enjoyed talking on the CB radio using the handle “Black Cowboy”.

Bishop Pickett is preceded in death by his wife Zadie, daughter Melvonna, son Byron, and six siblings.

The legacy that he leaves is a testament of the rich and fruitful life he lived. His children: James Rufus Pickett (Louberta) of Maple Hill, NC and Patricia Earley of Jacksonville, NC; six grandchildren, Damon Pickett (Tameia) of Baltimore, MD; Dustin Pickett of New York, NY; Marcus Carter of Orlando, FL, Latanganikia Earley, Robert Carter, Jr., and Tyrekia Carter all of Jacksonville, NC; six greatgrandchildren; two sisters: Nicy Holmes and Cleo James of Maple Hill, NC; two brothers: Lacy Pickett (Annetta) and Alonza Pickett, II of Maple Hill, NC; five sisters-in-law: Bertha James, Oprah Darby, and Mary Johnson of Maple Hill, NC; Georgia Mae Farland (Lennel) of Beulaville, NC; Carolyn Powers of Wallace, NC and Minnie James of Upper Marlboro, MD; a special brother, Royce Brown (Mamie) of Leland, NC; a special daughter, Emma Pulley of Littleton, NC; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends - all remain to cherish the memories and continue the legacy that Bishop Rufus Pickett leaves behind.

Through it all, we rest in knowing that God is faithful and cares for his own.

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