Melvin Clinton Pickett Jr. died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at River Region Medical Center. He was 77.

Mr. Pickett was born March 21, 1934, to the late Cascille and Melvin Clinton Pickett. He received his education in the Utica schools. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and was awarded several medals.

He worked for 44 years for the Illinois Central Railroad as a telegrapher, depot agent, ticket agent and customer service agent.

He was a former member of Carpenter Methodist Church and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church of Vicksburg. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2572, Military Order of the Cooties and Disabled American Veterans and held an American Legion Post 3 honor degree.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce Pickett.

Survivors include his wife, Ora Augusta “Pat” Pickett; one son, M. Clint Pickett of Clinton; four daughters, Glenda Kay Thornton of Hermanville and Melva Carol Powers, Charlotte Ann Miller and Ellen Marie Yates, all of Vicksburg; five sisters, Imogene Hoffmann, Lorraine Waltman, Dot Ann Alderman, Mary Dell Greer and Betty Sue Weems; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg. Burial will follow at Hermanville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 tonight.

Memorials may be made to Hermanville Cemetery or to the Alzheimer’s Association MS Chapter, 196 Charmont Place, Suite 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

Pallbearers will be Josh Sellers, Michael Pickett, Jake Carraway, Issac Pickett, Zan Pickett and Adam Powers.