BICKFORD, Phyllis Jane

Phyllis Jane (Sturgeon) Bickford, 88, formerly of Coolidge, died May 8, 2009. Mrs. Bickford was born to Ernest and Mae Sturgeon on Jan. 23, 1921 in Chandler. Also known as Fannie, she moved to Coolidge and attended Coolidge High School, where she was the school's first head cheerleader. After graduating in 1938, she met and married Jay W. Bickford. Together they owned and operated grocery stores in both Coolidge (1949-1952) and Chandler (1958-1964). She worked as a cashier for A.J. Bayless for several years until her retirement in 1986. She then relocated to Tucson. She was preceded in death by her husband; her four siblings, Dick, Jack, Norma and Lynn; and a grandson, Casey. Survivors include her sons and daughter, Jaybob "Billie," Jimmy, Chuck and Janie; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, with a great-great-grandchild due in July. No service is planned. Casa Grande Dispatch May 14, 2009