Rose H. and Charles E. Ricketts
Rose Harper Ricketts, 74, and Charles Edward Ricketts (Charlie), 77, passed away unexpectedly at their home on Charles Towne Drive on Friday, March 4, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts celebrated fifty-five years together on March 3rd, their wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Ricketts was born in Danville, Virginia on August 29, 1936 to the late Minnie Lynn Edwards Harper and Patrick Henry Harper. Mrs. Ricketts was a telephone operator for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company for many years and then was a dispatcher for the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Department. She spent the last 18 years of her professional career as a dispatcher for the City of Danville Police, Fire and Rescue from which she retired in 2000. Mrs. Ricketts is predeceased by her parents, brothers David F. Harper, Jack C. Harper, Woodrow Harper and Broadus Harper in addition to her sisters, Arva T. Groff, Mae H. Young, and Katie Jones.
Mr. Ricketts, son of the late William Leonard Ricketts and Ida Coleman Ricketts Hudgins, was born in Roanoke, Virginia on June 21, 1933. He served in the United States Army. In 1978, Mr. Ricketts retired as a lieutenant from the Danville Fire Department after twenty years of service. He is predeceased by his parents, his sisters Annie Collins, Inez Hopkins, Eleanor Richardson, Margie Myers, and Ruby Cleary.
Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts are survived by their daughters, Vickie R. Hunt and her husband, James Hunt of Moyock, NC; and Lori R. Bidgood and her husband, Berkeley C. Bidgood, Jr. of Danville. Survivors also include their grandson, Charles Patrick Hunt; two granddaughters, Bethany Rose and Mary Harriett Bidgood and two great-grandchildren, Colin Patrick and Margaret (Maggie) Mae Hunt as well as Mrs. Ricketts' sisters, Doris Kegley of Staunton, Mary Anne Harper of Danville and sister-in-law, Joyce Harper of Danville. Mr. Ricketts' sister, Mildred Buckner of Danville also survives.
The family will be at the home of Lori Bidgood, 845 River Ridge Road, Danville, Virginia. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 8th from 6pm to 8pm at Barker Funeral Home. Graveside service will be on Wednesday, March 9th at 1pm at Highland Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew.
Please sign the guestbook at www.swicegoodbarker.com and www.facebook.com/swicegoodbarker.