With a circle of immense love surrounding her, Mary Lynn “Mimi” Pickering (Caperton) crossed over to be with God and her beloved husband David Harold Pickering, Sr. on the morning of April 28, 2024. Mary was born on October 22, 1939 and raised in Monticello, Arkansas by parents Sarah Elizabeth and Clyde Edward “Sid” Caperton alongside older sister Martha Sue Pearce, who she simply loved and adored. A small-town girl at heart, Mary had an overflowing gratitude for everyone and everything in her life, sharing often that she never could have envisioned all the beauty and love that would surround her one day. The meaningful relationships in her life were the most important thing to her, with her family being her pride and joy. She was blessed with 50 wonderful years of marriage to her husband David, with whom she created a loving family, a successful business, and a lifetime of happiness.
Mary was a lady of true class, had a good sense of humor and a hint of sass.
She was dynamic and always evolving. When she was interested in something, she would give it her all.
She was a basketball star in her younger years and had the lead role in her high school play, The Reluctant Debutante. She was a world traveler with a strong yearning to explore new places–she even rode the train to California by herself at age twelve. She was a Master Gardener with home gardens that would rival Monet’s, a sea turtle lover, and author Mary Alice Monroe’s number one fan. She was an expert at puzzles and a sewing and knitting enthusiast. She was Michael Buble’s self-proclaimed girlfriend and could really bust a move–her favorite dance floor was in her kitchen. She could quote every Hallmark movie, make dinner dishes like Ina Garten, and if there was a piano around, you could bet that she would play “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” She was strong in her faith and enjoyed being a part of the Ben Miller Sunday school class at Highland Valley. In 2018, she lived out her lifelong dream of owning a beach condo in the Isle of Palms, South Carolina, where she split half of her time in her remaining years.
While she was truly gifted at everything she did, nothing brought her more joy than being around her friends and family. On Tuesday nights, you could find her sipping Sauvignon Blanc at Yaya’s (Little Rock) or Lawrence’s (Isle of Palms) surrounded by her best girlfriends. As someone who lived by her mother’s words, “pretty is as pretty does,” she was inclusive and welcoming to all–always the first one to jump up and invite someone to the table, share her friends with any newcomers and make sure they were well-connected within the community. The title of “Mimi” wasn’t exclusive–if you needed a place to go, she would make you feel like her own.
Her family was everything to her. She was a pillar of strength, a true matriarch, some would even say a queen. She gushed over each one of her children and grandchildren with such pride and encouragement, while all so different and unique, each a reflection of her own self. Of course, things changed in 2012 when she became a dog mom to her “baby girl” Peaches, who immediately became the apple of her eye. You would often see them cruising around the Villas in her cherry-red golf cart or taking a stroll on the beach at sunset.
While she will be so dearly missed, she will always be remembered for her grace, quick-wit and unwavering love.
She is survived by her beloved children Debbie Carol Brodsky (Mike Brodsky), David Harold Pickering, Jr. and Stephen Kenton Pickering; grandchildren Kelly Michèle Guerotto (Kevin Lee), Melanie Diane Pickering, Caroline Nicole Guerotto, Lauren Elizabeth Pickering, and Matthew David Brodsky; Bruno Guerotto, father of Michèle and Caroline; and “puppy-dog” Peaches.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Highland Valley United Methodist Church with a reception to follow, open to all who loved her. Memorials may be made to Highland Valley United Methodist Church, 15524 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72211.
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