On Friday, Dec. 6, 2002, God sent his angels to take home one of his precious children, the Rev. James

T. Ricks Sr.

The Rev. Ricks, 66, was born to the late James Henry Ricks and Nannie Olivia Crawley Ricks in Isle of Wight County on May 7, 1936. He attended Isle of Wight County Public Schools.

The Rev. Ricks was ordained Jan. 16, 1982 and served as pastor of Ash Grove Baptist Church for several years. He retired from Kirk Lumber Co. after 25 years of service. He served as associate pastor of Prayer Mission Baptist Church in Smithfield.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 47 years, Catherine E. Ricks; three daughters, Blondell N. Scott of Windsor, Barbara A. Jones (Charlie) and Carolyn E. Ricks of Suffolk; five sons, James T. Ricks Jr. (Annette), George R. Ricks, Larry D. Ricks, Charle C. Ricks (Maria) and Daryl H. Ricks (Rasalee), all of Suffolk; one sister, Mozell Brown of Smithfield; four brothers, Larnell Ricks of Portsmouth, Floyd Ricks and George Ricks, both of Smithfield and Willie Powell of

Suffolk; one aunt, Maggie Tarine of Baltimore, Md.; 25 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Diamond Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Spencer Goodwin officiating. Interment will be in Christian Home Baptist Church Cemetery.

The body will be placed in the church at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The family will receive friends at 724 Moore Farm Lane. Crocker Funeral Home, Suffolk, is in charge of arrangements.