Joan Marie Davis Pickard, 82, a resident of Irving since 1960, died July 8, 2019 at her home. Born January 2, 1937 in Dallas, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Elwood Davis, Jr. and Ruby Nell Harrison Davis. She grew up and attended school in Dallas and Seagoville, Texas. She later attended the University of Texas at Arlington and graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelors Degree and later was working on her Masters Degree. She started working at on the campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center Dallas as secretary to the Director of the Physical Plant. She later was promoted to Assistant Director and ultimately was one of a few American women to become a Director of Physical Plant for a university. At her retirement from UTSW in 1999, she was Director of General Services. Active in most sports during her younger years, she enjoyed art, opera, participated in the Baptist Student Union, Dallas Friday, New England Society, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the DAR, Jaycettes, Republican Women, scouting as a den mother, the YMCA, Dallas County Pioneers, and Dallas Womens Museum. She was a founding member of Executive Women in Texas Government, participated in physical plant administrators, materials management, and facilities management education and associations. She loved entertaining, travelling, dancing, and helping others. She volunteered for the Irving Chamber of Commerce and Convention Board and enjoyed assisting in home care for physically and mentally challenged children. Preceded in death by her parents, a brother Joseph Eugene Davis, and by Jerry Pickard in 2018, she is survived by her two sons, Lance Pickard and wife Suzy of Flower Mound and Vance Pickard and wife Kathy of Lynchburg, Virginia; a brother, William "Bill" Davis of Seagoville; seven grandchildren, Brandon Pickard, Austin Pickard, Jarrett Pickard, Lindsey Pickard, Ryan Pickard and wife Christine, Rebecca Pickard, and Molly Pickard; and one great granddaughter Emma Tubbs. A long time employee of UTSW, it was appropriate that she participated in the Willed Body Program for medical study. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 West Airport Freeway in Irving. SERVICES

Memorial Service

Saturday, July 13, 2019 11:00 AM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062