Honorable John S. Pickett, Sr., Honorable John S. Pickett, Jr., and Honorable Elizabeth A. Pickett, acknowledging three generation of service by the Pickett Family.

Judge John S. Pickett, Sr., born in 1982 in Miller County, Arkansas.  He graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana and taught for a number of years in Louisiana schools.  He passed the Louisiana bar exam in 1928 and practiced law in both state and federal courts in Louisiana for 31 years prior to being elected district judge for the 11th Judicial District.

He retired as District Judge at the mandatory retirement age, and then served by appointment of the Louisiana Supreme Court as judge in the 4th Judicial District, the 30th Judicial District, the 31st Judicial District; and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

His son, Judge John S. Pickett, Jr., was born in 1920 in Sabine Parish.  He graduated from Normal College in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1942, served in the US Army from 1942 until the war ended in 1945.  He obtained his license to practice law in 1952.

He served as City Attorney for the Town of Many for 13 years, was elected to and served on the Sabine Parish School Board for 4 years, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1968 and served 4 years.  Governor John McKeithen appointed him to fill the seat vacated by his father, District Judge for the 11th Judicial District Court.  He was elected to a full term and served, without opposition for the next 18-1/2 years until he reached the mandatory retirement age.

His daughter, Judge Elizabeth A. Pickett, was born in Sabine Parish.  She graduated Tulane Law School in 1984.  Judge Pickett served in private practice in Sabine Parish from 1984-1990 and also served as Assistant District Attorney for the 11th Judicial District Court.

With her father's retirement approaching, 1990 she ran for and was elected to his seat as District Judge for the 11th Judicial District, and was re-elected in 1996 without opposition.  In 1997 she was elected to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, and was re-elected to a full 10 year term in 2002 and presently serves in that position.

     Christopher Devaney, son of Brenda and Dan DeVaney of Florien, has established himself at the forefront of his life's profession.

     Christopher was born in Leesville in 1972.  He began school in Florien, later transferring to Leesville High School where his mom was serving on the English faculty.  Following graduation from Leesville High, he enrolled in the 1990 freshman class at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.  After spending his sophomore year at Northeast University in Monroe, Christopher's career plans began to come into clear focus.  Moving from the traditional university track, Christopher decided to follow his interest in hair styling with full vigor by training under Sam Brocoto at the prestigious Lockworks Academe in Baton Rouge.

     Following completion of his training, Christopher began his professional career as a stylist with work at salons in Monroe, Baton Rouge and Pensacola, Florida.  While in Pensacola , he became employed as a stylist and educator for a high-end salon having 127 locations in the U.S. and Canada.  Christopher currently manages and styles in his ChristopherKelly Salon in Historic Downtown Pensacola.  He also continues his career as a national educator for L'Oreal Paris, conducting hands-on workshops and working with trade shows and VIP events for their PureOlogy line of hair color products.

     Even though weekends often find Christopher at work in cities from New York to New Orleans or Orlando to Oakland, he rejoins the staff of his Pensacola salon on Tuesday mornings to resume serving the needs of their clients with expertise and professionalism.

     The constant travel involved in his work as an educator in the hair styling industry, far from making him a homebody, seems to have only sharpened his appetite for travel.  Vacations are usually spent with family or friends traveling to points of interest in the United States or venturing to the Caribbean, Europe or the Middle East.

      Although still a budding entrepreneur with many unfulfilled plans and expectations, Christopher is one of those most truly fortunate people who relish his life and work and looks forward to each day with excitement and anticipation.