Debra Jean Haywood-Pickens, a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, and servant quietly and peacefully transitioned on Friday, December 16, 2022, at her home.

Debra was the middle child born December 12, 1954, to the late James and Beatrice Haywood in Hot Springs, AR. Growing up in a family where family relationships were the center and the soul existence of how you treated others and cultivated lifelong relationships and friendships. Debra was a true friend. Those traits were exemplified early in her life along with her signature "Smile" which drew you in.

Books and Adventures began early in childhood for Debra. She loved a good book. It would be her love for reading that would take her on adventures. Reading was important to her, and learning was important. Debra was a 1974 graduate of Hot Springs High School and attended Hendrick College. She furthered her knowledge through work experiences at Arkansas Hospice, the Arlington Hotel, and Oaklawn Racetrack.

Travel would be another one of her Adventures! She loved a good cruise ship. The blue water, the food, especially the food. And if you didn't know this about Debra, she was a Foodie coinsurer. Any kind of food was her go-to!! You name it, she could tell you something about it. She also enjoyed the people she met on her travels to Belize, Honduras, the Bahamas, and other places. As much as she enjoyed the foods on her trips, she enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes for family and friends. But we can't forget decorating. She loved to decorate for the occasion by using special decorations, dishes, whatnots, or whatever's. Debra could put it together.

Music and entertainment were other aspects of Debra's DNA. She loved her some old-time Blues songs. Songs she would listen to for hours upon hours. There were other music genres she enjoyed but the Blues were her favorite. Debra loved to have family, friends, and coworkers over for a night of food, fun, and fellowship. She enjoyed hosting others at home and making them feel welcome. Even when she was diagnosed with Lymphatic Cancer, she greeted life circumstances on her terms with style and grace on her own terms. She BEAT CANCER and She SURVIVED with God's abundant Grace and Mercy. Her faith and her Roanoke Baptist Church family gave her solace as she fought through her fight to WIN. She continued to go on her shopping trips for new clothes, play at the casino, and go on new adventures.

Debra united in marriage with Clarence Pickens who preceded her in death and to that union was born Clarence "Sean" Pickens the love of her life, her only child took who her breath away. He completed her and brought her life full circle. Watching him grow into his own manhood gave her such pride and joy.

Debra was also a member of Roanoke Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board.

She is preceded by her parents, her husband Clarence Pickens, and her sister Diane Haywood Hannah.

She leaves to cherish her memories; her son Clarence "Shawn" Pickens, of Detroit, MI: three brothers; James Haywood Jr. of Benton, AR, Jimmy Denton of Hot Springs, AR, and Derrick Sears of Hot Springs, AR: sister/cousin Anita (Danny) Hughes of Hot Springs, AR: two nephews: Clifton Haywood of Hot Springs, AR, Quentin Haywood of Arlington GA: four niece's Teaha (Tory) Haywood-Cole of Hot Springs, Brandy (Stanley) Long, Benton, AR, Candice Haywood of Houston, TX, Kayla Pickens of Hot Springs, AR: her beloved aunt Fannie (Edward) Hill-Anderson of Hot Springs, AR: uncle Raymond Haywood, of Hot Springs, AR: brother in law Derick (Terry) Pickens, of Hot Springs, AR: a host of cousins, and friends

The visitation will be Monday, December 26, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Carrigan Memorial Funeral 336 E. Grand Ave. The Funeral will be Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 11:00 am at Roanoke Baptist Church 236 Whittington Ave. The Burial will be at Friendship Cemetary following the service.

The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.