Tavon Malik Pickens

Tavon Malik Pickens was born in Asheville, North Carolina on July 15, 1994 to Monica Arrington and Ernest “Bro” Johnson. He passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025.

Tavon was a 2013 graduate of the School of Inquiry in Life Sciences at Asheville High School.  He enjoyed sports and loved playing football, lacrosse and wrestling.  Tavon won 3 state championships.  A big sports fan, his favorite teams were the Patriots and the Green Bay Packers.   He was very family oriented and loved being around friends and family.  One thing you with grew to love or hate was his ability to always be straight forward and to the point.

Tavon was an avid shoe lover and knew how to dress.

Tavon was preceded in death by is father, Ernest “Bro” Johnson, maternal grand parents Charles and Mary Frances Pickens, aunt Charlie Mae Pickens and uncle Brian “PeeWee” Pickens.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Monica Arrington (Joseph Pearson), children Ari Pickens, Ameer Pickens and Khamille Pickens and brother Tyrell Pickens (Kendra).  He also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and siblings.  

Tavon was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.  In the wise words of Tavon after telling you the truth, he would end the conversation with “I’m like that!”

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Tavon will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Nazareth First Missionary Baptist Church (146 pine St.), at 2pm. He will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Viewing will be held at Avery's Memorial Chapel on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 1pm - 7pm. The service will be live streamed on Avery's Memorial Chapel's Facebook page.

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