Mr. Emery Leon Pickens, 62, was born in Iredell County on November 26, 1960, to the late Herbert Hall Pickens Sr. and Lucy Irene Brawley. He departed this life on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C.

Emery attended Iredell County schools, and after graduation she served his country in the U. S. Army. He enjoyed watching TV, fishing, and he loved cooking. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and his dog, Trixie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Pickens; one sister; and his brother-in-law, James McKinney.

He leaves to cherish the memory of his life three sons, Isiah Leon Payton, Isaac Junior Lee Payton, and Emery Leon Pickens III; daughters Lakeia Nicole Pickens, Ebony Aquia Pickens (Charles) Butler Jr., and Juinata Pickens Jimenez, all of Kannapolis, N.C.; one brother, Herbert Hall (Anita) Pickens Jr. of Independence, Mo.; two sisters, Beverly Allison of Flatrock, and Gloria Ann McKinney, of Georgia; eight grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Pickens at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Pickens family.