Louise Ricks
Louise Lawson “Penny” Ricks of Chattanooga died peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at her resident with her devoted, caring and loving family by her side.
Louise who loved to be call “Penny” was born in Chattanooga, on Jan. 9, 1931, to Willie and Ruth Lawson. She and her husband of 68 years, Percy L. Ricks Sr., were married on October 2, 1948. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of West Side Baptist Church. She was affectionately called “Penny” by her husband, children, family members and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend and loved by everyone who knew her. “Penny” or “Ms. Penny” had an undying love for people, she brought a smile to the face of everyone she met.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Ruth Lawson; brothers, Robert and Roy Lawson; sister, Christine Benning; children, Johnnie Ricks, Norman Ricks, and Margaret H. Burt; and grandson, Marlon Ricks.
She is survived by her husband, Percy Lee Ricks Sr. of 68 years; sons, Al-Kareem (Florence) Abdullah of Middletown, PA, George (Maria) Ricks, Anthony Ricks, both of Chattanooga, TN, and David Ricks of Japan; daughters, Regina (Michael) Edwards and Francine Ricks Todd; sisters, Shirley Allen of Chattanooga TN and Betty Ruth Brown of PA; special son-in-law, Howard (Margaret) Burt of Muscle Shoals AL; grandchildren, (George) George Jr., (Norman) Pamela, Najee, Norman Jr, Timothy, Shanika, Darius, Nikki, Corey, (Johnnie) Johnnie Jr, Jelani, Jamelia, (Abdullah) Gale, Percena, Penny, Terry, Jameel, Kareem, Lil Al, Michaela, Jamellah, Kamillah, Samuel, (Anthony) Anthony, Rickey, Alexandera, Christopher, (Regina) JaMichael, Jamar, (Francine) Sonja, (Margaret) Michael, and Yvette; a host of great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family, Beverly Billingslea, Frankie Ricks, Larry Fuquar, Carl Sadler; and friends.
The family would like to say thank you to all who helped Ms. Penny during her time of illness. A special thanks to staff members of CARIS Healthcare for in home Hospice care, providers and support staff at Siskin and Erlanger Hospital and Dr. Phillip Bannor, her primary care doctor.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 26, from 7-8 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be on Friday, May 27, at noon at Westside Baptist Church with Pastor Timothy Careathers as the eulogist. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.