Ella Mae Boudreaux Pickens Allcorn Shinn

ELLA MAE BOUDREAUX PICKENS ALLCORN SHINN, or "Mimi" as she was known to her grandchildren and friends, entered into new life on Jan. 29, 2013. Born Jan. 5, 1925 in Ged, La. to Gaston and Lula Evelyn Horn Boudreaux, Mimi took great pride in her family and reflected love to all with whom she came in contact. Mimi's career included her work as office manager for her first husband, Harold E. Pickens, Sr., MAI, as well as for Peterboro and Burlington Towers, both low income housing facilities in St. Petersburg, Fla. There she was actively involved in leadership roles with such community organizations as Womens Service League, Science Center Guild, Christmas Toy Shop and Customer Advisory Board of Maas Brothers. Following Harold's death in 1968, Mimi married William Allcorn and lived in Orlando and later Clearwater, Fla. Their marriage ended in 1974, and Mimi returned to St. Petersburg where, in 1980, she married Charles E. ("Charlie") Shinn. Mimi and Charlie moved to Little Rock in 2001. An Episcopalian, Mimi worked tirelessly for the Episcopal Church in many capacities and loved to attend church retreats and bible study classes. Mimi was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Allie Boudreaux, as well as by a daughter, Linda Diane Pickens, a son, Harold E. Pickens, Jr, and a step-daughter, Susan Harvest. She is survived by a daughter Deborah Herden (Jim) of Little Rock, grandchildren Keith Pickens (Kathy) of Wake Forest, NC, Andrew Herden (Amber) of Lewisville, Texas, Ian Herden (Ashley) of Madison, Miss., Harold E. Pickens III (Myra) of Little Rock, and Erin Fowler (Cody) of Bayside, Wis., as well as great-grandchildren Aubrey and Ella Herden (Texas), Emma Herden (Miss.), Troy and Adele Pickens (Ark.), Michele Mae Pickens (PI) and Wyatt, Jake and Taylor Pickens (N.C.). Additionally, she is survived by a step-son, Charles ("Chuck") Shinn (Susanne) of Colorado, three step-grandchildren, Vanesa Severini (Colo.) and Alex and Nicki Shinn (Colo.), and a dear niece, Mary Ellen (James) Bolton (Fla.) Little made Mimi as happy in her last years as rocking babies, and her family gave her many to rock and to love. She is loved ferociously by her family and friends. Her family wishes to thank, Delia Aqui, Gail Miller, Wendy England, and Delett Richardson and her family for their years of compassionate care and the entire staff of Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where Mimi spent her last months and received care exceeding all expectations. In lieu of flowers, please just do something nurturing for someone today and give God thanks for Mimi's most amazing life. Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 12415 Cantrell Road, Little Rock 72216-1727 where a celebration of Mimi's life will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2013, followed by interment of Mimi's and Charlie's ashes in the church's columbarium. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.