Judy Pickrel

Judy Elaine (Collins) Pickrel was born in Austin, Texas on December 15, 1951. She passed away at home in Elgin, Texas on November 12, 2025, after a terrible battle with cancer. She was 73 years old.

She was married to the late Tommy B Pickrel, Jr. of Dennison, Texas.

While Judy did not attend a specific church, her quiet, personal faith was revealed in the way she treated others, her resilience in the face of trials, and her love of family and friends. She spoke often of her faith and the love of her family.

Judy was kindhearted and considerate and was always the first one to shout out a hello and give hugs, whether at family gatherings or personal visits. She was funny and quick-witted and loved to tell stories of family life that left everyone smiling or laughing.

She was the eldest surviving daughter of a close-knit family of 9 siblings in a rural home in Elgin, Texas.

Judy was so proud of her two beautiful children, Mark and April, who became almost like additional siblings to the younger Collins’ children. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were deeply loved and held a special place in her heart. Her connection and deep love for her family was felt by all. She also found great joy and love for all the babies in the family.

Her work was in a dental laboratory for many years in Austin and later she produced heart valves at a company in Austin.

Judy’s real passion was being a collector of her favorite things but calling her a hoarder would quickly ensue a fight. She would travel far and wide, spending hours browsing through antique shops, vintage stores, and garage sales in search of valuable finds. She became an avid collector filling her home with personal treasures of dolls (Madame Alexanders, Barbies, baby dolls), figurines (Hummels, Precious Moments, Willow Tree), beautiful antique furniture, jewelry, a myriad of colored glassware, artwork, and other unique curios. She especially loved the holidays when she would proudly display her impressive collection of Christmas houses and village scenes. These were truly her treasures.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Pickrel; daughter, April Collins; father, Joe Collins; mother, Cherry Collins; sister, Cindy Collins; brother, David Collins; and niece, Erin Baier.

Survivors are her son, Mark Collins of Elgin, Texas, and granddaughter Pearl Collins of California, granddaughter Cherry Seymour, husband Lance Seymour and great-granddaughter Autumn Seymour of Missouri, granddaughter JoAn Brown, husband Josh Brown and great-grandson Apollo Brown of South Carolina;

Grandson Blaine Fuller and wife Brenda Fuller of Leander, Texas; granddaughter Elizabeth Egbert, husband Brett Egbert and great-granddaughter Hailey Egbert, great-grandson Will Egbert, and great-granddaughter Everly Egbert of Enumclaw, Washington; granddaughter Courtney Welch, husband Steven Welch and great-grandsons Kaden, Cohen, and Kent Jon (KJ) Welch of Killeen, Texas;

Brother Ronnie Collins, wife PJ Collins of Elgin, Texas, nephew Kyle Collins, wife Veronica Collins and great nieces Isabel, Cynthia, and Kayce Collins of Elgin Texas, niece Claire Palmer, husband Brian Palmer, great-niece Kylie Palmer, and great-nephew Weston Palmer of Elgin, Texas;

Sister Sue Tucksen, husband Blair Tucksen of Round Rock, Texas, nephew Chris Tucksen, great-nephews Jackson Tucksen and Justus Gunter of Eaton Rapids, Michigan; niece Amanda Moore, husband Brian Moore, great nephew Tyler Moore, and great niece Lauren Moore of Leander, Texas;

Sister Nancy Baier, husband Russ Baier of Cedar Park, Texas, niece Paige Green and husband Daniel Green of Florida, nephew Stephen Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas, niece Candice Baier, husband Shane Prather and great niece Eveyln Baier of Waco, Texas and niece Rachel Baier of Cedar Park, Texas;

Sister Vickey Collins of Pflugerville, Texas, niece Makiah Cash of Round Rock, Texas;

Sister Cathy LaCrosse, husband Donnie LaCrosse of Fayetteville, Arkansas, nephew Daniel Collins, wife Melissa Collins, great nieces Mekayla Brown and Molly Yost, great nephews Aaron and Alex Anderson of Chinook, Montana, niece Shyler Hayden, great niece Brooklyn Hayden, great nephew Bob Hayden of Round Rock, Texas; and nephew Sam LaCrosse;

Brother Danny Collins of Austin, Texas, niece Chealsey Collins of Elgin, Texas;

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on December 13, 2025, at the Elgin SPJST Hall from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. A potluck luncheon will be served featuring Judy’s favorite Mexican food of your choice. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Judy was dearly loved by all her family and friends, and she will remain in our hearts and thoughts forever.