A two-vehicle crash on Highway 13 near the Duck River on Feb. 7 claimed the life of 23-year-old Addison Pickett, a Waverly mother and Tennessee Department of Corrections officer. In the shock-filled days since, her parents, Bill and Tricia Pickett, have taken custody of her young son Knox, who will turn 3 next month. The family says they are leaning hard on their church community and nearby neighbors as they try to navigate the sudden loss.
Family remembers her strength and creativity
Bill and Tricia told reporters that Addison left behind stacks of notepads and stories, tangible proof of the life and creative future she had mapped out, according to NewsChannel5. "She would accomplish anything she put her mind to. She was strong," Bill Pickett said. Tricia described her daughter as her best friend. Family members say they plan to raise Knox together and keep Addison's writing and music at the center of his life so that he grows up knowing who his mother was.
Turney Center colleagues, TDOC offer support
The Tennessee Department of Corrections shared that Pickett was "remembered by her TCIX colleagues as an officer with integrity who always had a polite demeanor, inquisitive nature, and constant smile." Staff and community members organized a candlelight vigil in her honor, local reporting shows. Co-workers told reporters she had recently completed specialized training that opened doors for advancement, and that the mood at Turney Center was one of deep loss, per WSMV.
Obituary details and how to help
The obituary posted by Luff-Bowen Funeral Home notes that Pickett was born Sept. 9, 2002, and began working at Turney Center in 2023 before moving into a correctional officer role. She is survived by her son Knox, her fiancé Josh Walle,r and her parents Bill and Tricia Pickett, the obituary states. Memorial donations for Knox's education and funeral arrangements are being handled through the funeral home, according to the Luff-Bowen listing on Legacy.
Crash investigation remains open
Family members said law enforcement told them Pickett was not at fault in the collision, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol has said the crash investigation remains ongoing with no preliminary report yet released, NewsChannel5 reports. State troopers have not disclosed any contributing factors, such as speed, impairment, or weather, and no charges tied to the crash have been announced.
Neighbors, church groups, and co-workers have rallied around Knox and the Pickett family with meals, donations, and memorial gatherings. For information on services and ways to support the family, readers can refer to the funeral-home listing on Legacy and the Luff-Bowen obituary.
