Mrs. Twyla J. (Billups) Pickard

Twyla J. Pickard, 84, of Galesburg, died at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2020, in Seminary Manor.

She was born September 5, 1936, in Stronghurst, the daughter of Bailey and Lois (Drain) Billups.  She married Fred D. Pickard on July 16, 1954, in Galesburg.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Fred; two children, Kimberly Cherrington and Jeffrey (Melinda) Pickard, both of Galesburg; three grandchildren, Kristen (Bob) Jackson, Cort (Haley Pulse) Pickard, and Kaden Pickard; three great grandchildren, Jake, Luke, and Emmy Jackson; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Eleanor Pickard; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Bud Billups and Jerry Billups; two sisters, Delores Ericson and Judy Irons; and sisters-in law and brothers-in-law, Dorothy and Harold Dralle and Margaret and Ray Lock.

Twyla’s family moved from Stronghurst to Galesburg when she was 5 years old.  She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1954.  Before her children were born, Twyla worked as a secretary at Lombard Junior High School.  After her children were a little older, she began a long career in the retail industry.  She worked at O.T. Johnson’s as the men’s department manager, girl’s/junior’s department manager, and was in charge of the Boy Scout uniforms.  She then was the manager of Seiferts in the Sandburg Mall for many years.  Later, she worked part-time at Mimi’s and the Galesburg Flower Company, where Stephen and Mike always made her feel like family.  Twyla was a member of First Church of the Nazarene.

Twyla enjoyed working in her yard and flower gardens.  She never had a bad word to say about anyone.  She was devoted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  All who encountered Twyla knew what a special lady she was.

Cremation will be accorded.  Private family memorial service will be Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel.  A celebration of life will be announced in the Summer of 2021 when we can once again gather.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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