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Cynthia “Cindy” Pickett Jolly, 77, of College Station lost her battle with cancer Aug. 22, 2023. She was born Aug. 18, 1946, in College Station to Thomas B. Pickett Jr. and Helen Hood Pickett. Both preceded her in death.
Cindy’s family moved to Wharton when she was 11 years old. Cindy excelled as a basketball player at Wharton High School, and her senior year she was voted Miss Wharton. Following high school, Cindy attended North Texas State University and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education.
After college, she taught and coached in numerous school districts across Texas and Louisiana for more than 30 years. The last 14 years of her teaching and coaching career was at Columbus Junior High.
Her athletes will remember her favorite reply was, “Yeppa, yeppa” when asked if they had to continue running, pushing towels or doing agility exercises. They’ll also fondly remember the pink chair she took to track meets that nobody dared to sit in but her. Coach Jolly will be missed by her former students and coworkers alike for her dry sense of humor and kind heart.
Cindy loved sports from the moment she was born. Her dad played football for Texas A&M University, so the Aggies were naturally her favorite team. Saturdays in the fall were devoted to watching her Aggies, and nobody better disturb her during the game. She enjoyed taking her junior high athletes to women’s basketball and volleyball games at A&M.
Her excitement when she heard the Aggie War Hymn was contagious. The girls were swaying right beside her and whooping loudly, especially when the Aggies won.
In addition to her love of sports, she fiercely loved her family. Her children and grandchildren meant the world to her.
Survivors include her son Darrin Driver (Megan) of Iola; daughter, Dana of Wharton; grandchildren, Blake Bailey of Iola, Dylan of Wharton and Colby of San Antonio; and sister, Sandra Zahn (Freddie) of Wharton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for Columbus Rescue Dogs care of Colorado Valley Vet Clinic (Columbus) or Oak Grove Vet Clinic (Weimar) in memory of Cindy.
Services are pending and will be held in Wharton.
