Zona Marie Pickens

Zona Marie Pickens, born March 2, 1942, left this life for the glory of God on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, LA, Zona was a 1960 graduate of Istrouma High School and was an active member of the women’s group the Istrouma “Squaws”. She worked for some time for the Louisiana State Finance Dept. doing bookkeeping. Zona was instrumental in implementing Public Assistant Line (PAL) for the state of Louisiana from 1976-1980. She then worked at a Baton Rouge piano store from 1981-1990. After that she did bookkeeping for a local firm as well as freelance bookkeeping services for a few small Baton Rouge companies. In 2000 she began serving in City Parish government as Mike Walker’s legislative assistant through all his terms on the City Parish council, including as mayor pro tempore. Mike has said Zona made him look good in his job every day. She remained in that position until he left office in 2012. She had many passions in her life including animals, volunteering for ten years with Capitol Area Animal Welfare Society, with a special love for cats. She was quite a talented artist and had recently joined the Art Guild of Louisiana. After retirement she also joined a writer’s group at Jones Creek Library and book club at the Fairwood Library. She is preceded in death by father, Woodrow W. Pickens; mother, Vivien Hurley Pickens; aunt, Peggy Hurley. Zona is survived by her cousins, Charles Routh of Scottsdale, AZ and Bobbie Manske of Greenwell Springs, LA; dear friend, Gene Flusche, of Dallas TX, who was by her side as she passed, and his family; as well as her two beloved kitties, Pasha and Graham. She was a kind and devoted friend, a generous and fierce advocate of all animals she encountered. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her and greeted with joy by those whom she has joined in heaven. A celebration of life will be Friday, August 29, 2025, at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA, with a visitation from 9am until the time of funeral services at 11am. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Donations may be made in Zona's name to CAAWS or to the animal welfare group of your choice. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.greenoaksfunerals.com