Obituary for Leota B Ricks
Leota Belle Petty Ricks was granted her angel wings on November 20, 2014. Leota or “Mamaw” as she was lovingly nicknamed by family, was surrounded with the support and comfort of close family members that she touched in some way throughout her long memorable life, together with an excellent and caring patient care team on her final days.
Leota was born in Somerset, Atascosa County, Texas on December 12, 1924 to Henry Howard Petty and Hazel Belle Hearn Petty. She was raised in Del Rio, TX and graduated from Del Rio High School in 1942.
She was united in marriage to Philip Andrew Ricks on October 17, 1943; they were married for 40 blissful years until his death in 1983. She met Philip while he was stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base. They were a young married couple — World War II vet Philip A. Ricks and Leota, his Del Rio-native bride opened Ricks Furniture Company (now Ashley Furniture Home Store) in Leota’s hometown, Del Rio, TX, in 1947. God blessed Philip and Leota with three children; two sons Ronnie and Lonnie and one daughter Phyllis. Together with Philip, Leota provided a loving foundation, with family unity. Later Leota and Philip and Phyllis’ family moved to Kerrville, where Ricks Furniture was opened in 1980. Ashley Furniture Home Store in Eagle Pass was opened in 2010. Leota worked until she was 86; demonstrating her determination and hard work to their loyal customers. That would be her legacy for years to come.
A mother, homemaker and businesswoman, Leota was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends. She was also a sports fan and enjoyed watching the Spurs victories. Leota loved good food and socializing, enjoyed playing cards and traveling with friends. Leota had faith in God. She was a member of First Christian Church of Del Rio for over 50 years. And while living in Kerrville attended First Christian Church. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room.
Left to continue to honor and cherish Leota’s memory are sister Velma Irene Petty Butts; step-sister Bobbie Ann Hamer Hubbard and Husband Clyde; step-brother Harrison “Sonny” Hamer; brother and sister-in-laws Ken and Margaret Ricks of Kerrville and Gene and Jo Ann Ricks Nerren of Corpus Christi. Daughter: Phyllis Ann Ricks of Kerrville, TX; Son: Ron Ricks and wife Eileen of Dallas, TX; Son: Lonnie Ricks and wife Liz of Del Rio, TX. Grandchildren: John Philip and Wife Jeri Skrumeda, and Stephanie Leigh Skrumeda of Kerrville, TX; Alan Ricks of Boston, MA; Michelle Ricks George and Husband Philip George, Ryan Andrew Ricks and wife Julie Ricks of Del Rio, TX and Christel Ricks Gustafson and Husband Lars Gustafson of Stockholm, Sweden. Great-grandchildren: Mikayla Rose Skrumeda, John Cameron Skrumeda and Makenzie Leeann Skrumeda of Kerrville, TX, Caden Gregory George and Tyler James George, Mary Elizabeth Ricks and Jude Andrew Ricks of Del Rio, TX and Grace and Noah Gustafson of Stockholm, Sweden. She will also be missed by numerous nieces, and nephews, and of course, her “extended family” at the furniture store.
In addition to her husband, Philip Andrew Ricks, her aforementioned parents and Stepmothers Era Mangrum Petty Bostick and Mary Ellen Word Petty and sister Virginia Ruth Petty Brauer preceded her in death.
Gentlemen entrusted with the honors of serving as pallbearers will be: John Philip Skrumeda, Ryan A. Ricks, Alan Ricks, John Cameron Skrumeda, Philip George, Ronnie Osteen, Fred Brauer, and Robert Brauer. Honorary pallbearers: Ken Ricks, Gene Nerren, Joe Ricks, Don Ricks, Bob Ricks, Sonny Hamer, and Lars Gustafson.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, from 12:00pm-5:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be held Thursday, December 4, 2014, 10:00am, First Christian Church.
Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Val Verde Regional Medical Center Hospice.