Anita Jemison Bickley

Fort Worth, Texas – Anita Jemison Bickley passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, July 7.

Born in State Island, New York, on June 26, Anita was the daughter of Gerald Joseph and Lola Sayers Jemison. She graduated in 1968 from North Side High School and in 1972 from Texas Wesley University.

While at TWC she met her husband of 53 years, Paul Bickley. He was president of their senior class and she served as treasurer. Anita often said the roles should have been reversed. She was member of Phi Mu Sorority and Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity.

Although Anita had a degree in Soprano Performance, she spent her working career as a band and orchestra teacher with the Fort Worth ISD. When she retired in 2006, she and Paul started traveling the world visiting all of the major continents and historical sites. They like to refer to 2018 as their “Great Year,” having visited the Great

Wall of China and the Great Pyramid of Giza, and went to the Kentucky Derby, “The Great Race!”

Anita was active in several community organizations including Junior League of Fort Worth, the Woman’s Club of Fort Worth, Jewel Charity and the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra.

In addition to Paul, Anita is survived by her children, Sarah Arnold and her husband, Thomas, and Meghan Lauring and her husband, Anthony. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, William C. and Christopher C. Arnold and Oliver S. and Colin O. Lauring. She is also survived by her siblings, Melissa Roberts, Margaret Bond and Joey Jemison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Following a private service at the grave, she will be laid to rest with family members in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Family and friends will gather from 4 to 6pm Saturday, July 11, at Ridglea Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests consideration of donations be made in her memory to the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, fywo.org.