Tina Marie Pickett, born Tina Marie Jenkins, passed away on September 11, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was born on September 3, 1966, in Palm Beach County, Florida, to LeRoy Jenkins and Cynthia Jenkins Brown.

In 1988, Tina married Jerry Lee Pickett, Jr. of Pink Hill, North Carolina. From that union came two of her beloved children, her son, Jerry Lee Pickett, III of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and her daughter, Deja Pickett of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Later, in 1995, Tina welcomed another daughter, Tequilla Moore of Jacksonville, North Carolina, with Danny Arnold Moore of Georgetown, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Motherhood was at the center of Tina’s life. She was not only devoted to her own children but was also a motherly presence to her nieces and nephews, offering love, care, and a place of comfort that will be remembered always.

Tina found joy in simple and meaningful things. She enjoyed listening to music, and watching television was one of her favorite pastimes, especially the I.D. Channel and anything involving forensics. She also loved bringing people together, hosting family cookouts and events that created lasting memories for those she loved. Tina was known for being blunt and forward, someone who spoke plainly and led with honesty. Yet beneath that directness was a deeply kindhearted and giving woman, always willing to open her home to someone in need.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leroy Jenkins, and her mother, Cynthia Jenkins Brown.

Those who will continue to cherish her memory include her son, Jerry Lee Pickett, III; her daughters, Deja Pickett and Tequilla Moore; her grandsons, Tyree Pickett-Edwards, Tyrin Pickett-Edwards, and Karter Smith; and her granddaughters, Londyn Moore and Trinity Pickett. She is also lovingly remembered by her sisters, Gwendolyn Jenkins of Augusta, Georgia, and Jennifer Bowen of Jacksonville, North Carolina; her brothers, Leroy Jenkins of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Micheal Jenkins and Deanna of Virginia. Tina also leaves behind a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors who will hold her close in their hearts and remember the love, strength, and presence she brought into their lives.

Her family and friends will forever miss her, but they will also forever carry the memories she leaves behind—of her honesty, her warmth, her generosity, and the way she made room for others in her life and in her home. Tina will be sincerely missed but never forgotten.

This Is Not Goodbye

I did not want to leave you

 It was just my time to go 

I know your heart is breaking

 So, I need to let you know 

That although you can no longer see me

 I will forever be by your side 

I promise time will numb the pain

 And help dry the tears you've cried

 You can reach me in your memories

 Just to think of me, I will be there

 In your dreams, we can visit yesteryear

 Where we didn't have a care

 Please carry on and live your life

 I beg of you to try 

Just know we'll meet again one day 

As this is not goodbye

By: Maxine Bailey