Dec. 17, 1929 – Sept. 13, 2013

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Floyd Ray Pickering, 83, of Natchez, who died Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, at his residence, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Natchez City Cemetery with the Rev. John Kramer officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Pickering was born Dec. 17, 1929, in Bude, the son of Daniel A. Pickering and Dollie Brister Pickering. He was a 1947 graduate of Natchez High School.

After a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy as a radioman during the Korean War, he joined Sears Roebuck & Company in the Natchez store.

Mr. Pickering had a number of assignments in stories in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. After 35 years of service, he retired from the Asheville, N.C. store.

He was a member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church and loved to travel. He looked forward to the journey he now faces.

Mr. Pickering loved fishing. While in North Carolina, he taught his wife, Dorothy, to fish. He was a great teacher because Dorothy regularly out-fished him.

Mr. Pickering was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and one grandson, Reed Pickering.

Survivors include one son, Daniel Pickering and wife, Carole, of Cupertino, Calif., and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorials contributions may be sent to Jefferson Street United Methodist Church building fund, 511 Jefferson St., Natchez, MS 39120.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.