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| Name: |
Frances Louise Hack Ricketts
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| Date: |
March 31st, 1927 - January 3rd, 2010
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| Obituary: |
Frances Louise Hack Ricketts departed from this life on Sunday January 3, 2010 after a brief illness. She was born to the late William “Billy” Hack and Lillian Gaskins on March 31, 1927 in Accomack County, VA. Frances was raised by the late Mr. and Mrs. Ephriam Devore since birth in Baltimore, MD.
She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore in 1945. She then attended Morgan State College earning a Bachelor’s degree in English in 1949. She received a Master’s degree in Education also from Morgan.
Her teaching career began in Frederick, MD. In 1953, she began a 30 year career in Caroline County, where she taught English, first at Lockerman High (1953-1966), then at North Caroline High School from which she retired as English Department Chair in 1983.
She met and married a fellow teacher, Byard Franklin Ricketts on December 26, 1954. Frank or Rick as she called him died in 1985. They had no children from their union.
Fran was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students. She was faculty advisor to The Future Teachers of America, Student Council and the National Honor Society Organization. She was the founder of ACES (Afro-American Cultural Explorer Society) and The Mannequin Club that began attending a fashion show at Western High School in Baltimore in which her niece, Raina was a member of their modeling club. She was a stickler for decorum, manners and correct grammar, socially as well as professionally.
As an active member of Union Bethel AME Church, her star was forever shining. She belonged to the Lay Organization, Missionary Society and was past president of the Stewards Board. Until her health declined, Fran was very instrumental in decorating the church, especially at Christmas. She had a standing order at the local florist for each holiday and event which required that the church be dressed. The ceiling fans were installed due to her efforts. The church also held a “Pew Rally” to raise money to recover and cushion the pews. Many brides in Caroline and Kent counties honored Fran by requesting that she coordinate their weddings.
She had fashion sense and an elegant style about herself which would be the envy of any society matron. Her style and artistic eye was also reflected in her home.
She and Frank built their dream house in 1977 at 501 Elaine Avenue. The plans came from a 1954 edition of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. She even had the blueprint framed. Upon completion, the home was the talk of the town.
As a trendsetter, she thought nothing about traveling to New York City several times a year to shop. This attribute was inherited by her sister and her sister’s children. Community service was on top of her list. Fran always believed in helping others and giving back to the community. She served for 9 years as President of Channel Marker Inc., a charter member of the Denton Community Partnership and a member on the Denton Planning and Zoning Commission. In the arts field, she was a member of the Tidewater Performing Arts Society and served on the Board of Directors of the Caroline County Council of Arts. Fran also worked as a broadcaster with a local radio station.
Being a retired educator, she was an active member of the Retired Teachers Association.
Throughout her lifetime, Fran had wanderlust and wanted to see the world. Listed on her travel folio are trips to many of the 50 states, including visiting Alaska and Hawaii twice, cruising throughout the Caribbean and Mexico as well as Canada. A lifelong dream was realized when she boarded the Queen Elizabeth II for a week long cruise.
Fran is survived by her sister, Alice Greene “Bunny”; nieces and nephews, Robin Greene (goddaughter), Ronald (Pamela) Greene, Renee Stancil, Raina (Carl) Medley, Randy (Dawn) Greene, Rae-Lynn (Joseph) Kingeter, Christine Cox and Robert Young; great nieces and nephews, Rodney, Ryan, Kristen, Juan, Raja, Romanze, Kandice, Matthew, Bethany, Karis, Ryley and Mariah; numerous Ricketts nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, Fannie Poulson; Ruby Lee, George Bevins, Carla (Stanley) Johnson, Alan (Wendy-Ann) Poulson, best friend forever, Jacqueline Parker; godson, Carlton Holmes, dear friend, Joyce Coursey; devoted companion and friend, Thomasina Rae and a host of many friends.
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| Cemetery: |
Maryland Veterans Cemetery
Hurlock, MD (map/driving directions)
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| Visitations: |
11:00AM to 7:00PM on Saturday, January 9th, 2010 at Union Bethel A.M.E. Church (map/driving directions)
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| Services: |
In-state at 10:00AM, Service at 11:00AM at Union Bethel A.M.E. Church on Monday, January 11th, 2010 (map/driving directions)
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