Keya Marie Pickett

Sunrise - December 22, 1971 Sunset - September 26, 2011 Keya Marie Pickett Keya M. Pickett affectionately known as "Special K" received her heavenly wings on Monday, September 26, 2011. Born on December 22, 1971 in Washington, DC to the late Otis and Patricia Pickett, she received her formal education in the District of Columbia public school system - Kimball Elementary, Sousa Jr. High, Dunbar Sr. High and Strayer College. At an early age she began attending East Friendship Baptist Church with her Mother, Aunt Barbara and Cousin Sandy under the leadership of Pastor Willie Green. After the death of her mother, continued worshiping at East Friendship Baptist. In 1992 Keya began working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs until her health failed and she was unable to continue working. In 2003 she began working as a Caregiver. She loved children, hanging out with her friends, traveling and partying. She was a very caring, giving and devoted friend and had a great sense of direction - just tell her where you were going and she could navigate you there and identify all the food landmarks along the way. Keya also had a beautiful voice. She loved to sing and during her early years she sang with the Rose Bud Choir and RW Coral Choir during her teen years. She also served on the usher board. Keya is preceded in eternal life by her Mother and Father, her aunt Barbara Brookens, uncles Ralph Boyce and Maurice Toliver and cousin Tatia Brennan. She leaves to celebrate her life three sisters - Lenora "Kitty" Roberts (Tony), Denise "BeeBee" Alston (Leroy), Robin Pickett-Moore and one brother - Eric Pickett (Tanya). She also leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life a devoted cousin Sandra "Sandy" Gourdine (who loved, cared for and considered Keya more of a sister than a cousin) as well as Sandy's son Antonio "Tony" Best; Aunt Sandra Brennan, cousins Donna Brennan (Andre' Jernigan), Leroy Brennan (Darlene) and Carl Brennan (Tonya); a host friends -- Odetta Brown, Raymond "Tink" Cole, Gregory Crawley (for whom she shared a birthday), Helen Davidson, Lavaughn Dorsey, Kim Evans, Theil "JR" Jackson, Kim Latief, Terita Robinson, Leslie Sherill and her God-daughter D'Nya (who was really Keya's daughter - Leslie just birthed her), Michael Valentine (affectionately known as her brother); her God Mothers Patricia Montigue and Lucy Vaden; a God sister Lynn Vaden and God brothers Al & Ellery Vaden and a host of other family and friends.