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Gary, Barbara (Pickett)

August 19, 1955 –
 November 7, 2019

Obituary

Barbara was born in Sulphur, LA on August 19, 1955 the 6th of 9 siblings raised by Mary and Warren Pickett in Vinton, LA.  She attended Saint Joseph Catholic School in Vinton until it closed. During high school she was yearbook editor and class president. She graduated from Vinton High School in May 1973 and married her high school sweetheart, Michael, one month later in June. They went off to Kansas City, MO to live together as husband and wife. She worked briefly as a nurse’s aide, waitress and cash register attendant before pursuing her administrative career. She obtained her associates degree at Yuba College while Michael was in the Air Force and being transferred from one assignment to another.  She enjoyed travel and was the first one packed when Michael received a new assignment. She visited and lived in several states as well as European countries to include time in England renewing her relationship with her mother’s side of the family. Every year she found work in the government sector on each air base assigned working as an executive assistant for Generals as well as 1st Sergeants.  She had their first child in August 1983 right before Michael was leaving the military. She went into labor on her birthday but missed having Cynthia by just a few hours. After leaving the military she settled down in Round Rock, TX and started a new career for the IRS in Austin as a tax consultant.  She then moved to Rowlett, TX where she lived until the end. While there she made a home and had her second child, Lisa, in October 1987. She was very involved in her girls’ education, had them attend catholic schools as she did, and spent time guiding young women to be the best they can as an assistant Girl Scout troop leader.  She continued her education while in Rowlett and became a degreed Professional Court Reporter. She never wanted to work in the court system but wanted to use this skill set in her administrative line of work. She worked for leading tax lawyers and CEO’s until moving into her final job of Benefits Advisor helping people find the right retirement medical plans. She worked from home in this last position and enjoyed not dealing with the Dallas area commute. Barbara enjoyed traveling, games of chance, gardening, canning, raising chickens, cheering on the Cowboys and Mavericks, reading and being the best grandma in the world to her 5 grandkids. She was married 46 years and as the matriarch of her immediate family guided her girls and grandchildren to be strong, graceful, and independent. Just after her 64th birthday in August 2019 she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a rare aggressive brain cancer that ultimately took her life in less than 4 short months from first symptoms. Even while the disease progressed, she found strength in her holistic beliefs and always kept a positive attitude in that she would fight this disease without radiation or chemo therapy.  Her smiling face and caring heart will be missed by all. She is immediately survived by her husband Michael, daughters Cynthia and Lisa and grandchildren Bella, Austin, Hope, Jaxson and Kirk Jr, and numerous extended family including uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren. A special Mass will be held at St. Joseph Church on January 4, 2020 at 11am in her hometown of Vinton, La. In lieu of flowers the family requests you consider a donation to the American Brain Tumor Association in Barbara’s name which can be made online at www.abta.org.

_____________________________________ A Signature Service under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home 10116 E. Northwest Highway Dallas, Texas 75238 214-340-8008

    Tammi Bates
    5 Dec 2019
    7:39pm

    What a lovely tribute to your Mom. Prayers for your family.

    Mary Beth Callahan
    5 Dec 2019
    8:44pm

    What a beautiful tribute to a full life. I’m very sorry for your loss and hope that the many memories you shared will be blessings in the days ahead.

    Theresa Miller Watson
    5 Dec 2019
    10:27pm

    Barbara was one of the sweetest people. Our prayers are with the family. She was truly a gem.

    Kathy &Joe Walshe
    6 Dec 2019
    8:19am

    Dear Lisa and Family,
    We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Even though it has been years thoughts flash back to the many good times when you were at Good Shepherd. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. We know your mom is now resting in the loving arms of Jesus and is at peace in her heavenly home. Love Joe and Kathy Walshe

    Tanya Walter Gaudet
    6 Dec 2019
    7:45pm

    I’m so sadden at your loss. May God be with all of you during this time

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R. Driver
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"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
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"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

    PRESTON ROAD
    214.306.6700

    NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
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      214-340-8009
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      972-526-7410
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