Beth LeGate Pickels

Beth Ann LeGate Pickels, 81, passed away on June 25, 2024, in Community Hospice at Baptist Medical Center South, after a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. Beth Ann was born on October 9, 1942, in Jacksonville, FL to Frank Milton and Lucille Elizabeth Robinson LeGate. She grew up in Riverside and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1960. She continued her studies at Florida State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts and Science in 1964. While at FSU, Beth Ann was a loyal sister, member, Scholarship Chairman, and Vice President of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She was also quite active as managing editor, academics editor, and co-editor of the Tally-Ho yearbook. After completing her studies at FSU, she completed post graduate studies in Medical Technology at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. There she met Mike, an engineering student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

Beth Ann and Mike married on June 25, 1966, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Jacksonville, FL. She then worked at the Yerkes Primate Center and a doctor’s office while Mike got his degree and embarked on a career with IBM. They settled in the Marietta, GA area and raised an amazing family.

Beth Ann devoted herself to raising her children: a son, Michael Kendall, and three beautiful daughters, Pamela Elaine, Ansley Pace, and Penny Elizabeth. She actively participated in the PTA, led Brownie troops, and tirelessly chauffeured her daughters to piano lessons, dance classes, softball, gymnastics, cheerleading and tennis practices, ensuring she never missed a game, performance, or recital.

Once the kids got well into school, Beth Ann returned to her career as a medical technologist and lab supervisor at SmithKline Beecham. She retired shortly before becoming a grandmother, lovingly called "Gram" by her grandkids. Beth Ann wholeheartedly embraced her role as a grandmother and held her grandchildren dear to her heart. She took joy in playing games, solving puzzles, attending their activities, and sharing special moments like fishing trips with them. Beth Ann often proudly shared photos of her grandchildren and their achievements with her friends.

Beth Ann was a beloved figure known for her warmth and kindness. She greeted new neighbors, parishioners, and friends with a welcoming smile, often accompanied by a homemade baked good or her famous pineapple cheeseball. Active in her community, she contributed to the Garden Club of Green Cove Springs, supported the Friends of the Green Cove Springs Library, and volunteered at the Senior Center of Clay County. Beth Ann found joy in serving as an election poll worker in Clay County, where she delighted in meeting her neighbors.

Her love for meeting new people was matched only by her devotion to maintaining friendships. Beth Ann remained an integral part of organizing high school reunions, and in March 2024, she greeted her classmates with nametags to celebrate 64 years since graduation. Over the years, she also treasured reunions and gatherings with many of her sorority sisters, cherishing the friendships and bonds of sisterhood they shared.

Beth Ann had a passion to serve the Lord. She was always active in her church community, whether it was as a Greeter, Eucharistic Minister, or Flower Guild member. Beth Ann was deeply devoted to The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK). She not only served as a member of DOK in various churches but also played a pivotal role in founding chapters at several locations, including Christ the King in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, St. Agatha Episcopal Church in DeFuniak Springs, FL, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Green Cove Springs, FL.

Beth Ann was predeceased by her parents, Frank M. LeGate, Jr. and Lucille Elizabeth Robinson, older brothers, Frank Milton LeGate III and Richard Edward LeGate, and son- Michael Kendall Pickels (1969-1972). She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Mike and her three daughters, Pamela York (Jonathan) of Acworth, GA, Pace Tilley (Chris) of Atlanta, GA, and Penny Harkey (Scott) of Jacksonville, FL, and grandchildren Nathan York, Noah York, Harrison York, Gavin Tilley, Grace Tilley, and Tyler Harkey, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from dear friends and family during this difficult time. We extend our appreciation to Beth Ann's childhood friends, high school classmates, Pi Beta Phi sorority sisters, and cherished church communities including St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Marietta, GA, Christ the King Church in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church at Hibernia in Fleming Island, FL, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Green Cove Springs, FL. We are thankful to the Garden Club of Green Cove Springs and the Friends of the Green Cove Springs Library for your compassion and thoughtfulness during this time. We are also grateful for the kindness of neighbors and friends from Somerset in Marietta, GA, Williams Park in Green Cove Springs, and Stillwater in St. Johns, FL.

Special thanks to Rev. Mtr. Sarah Minton, Rector, whose visits brought comfort to Beth in the hospital and continued support for Mike and the family. We are also grateful for Rev. Mtr. Celeste Tisdale for visiting and assisting Mtr. Sarah with the Last Rites. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the doctors, nurses, and medical staff at Baptist Medical Center South, as well as the compassionate care provided by the nurses and team at Community Hospice. Your kindness and support have meant the world to us during this time of loss.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Green Cove Springs on Saturday, July 13, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Beth Ann’s name may be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. For additional information on donating to the St. Mary’s Memorial Fund, please visit: https://onrealm.org/StMarysEpiscopalGCS/-/form/give/now.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is a beautiful, quaint church located on the St. John’s River, but it has limited seating available. Overflow seating will be available in the parish hall where the service will be live streamed. For those with difficulties traveling, live streaming will be available. Please visit the St. Mary’s website at https://www.smgcs.church/ for additional information and access to the streaming site.