Rebecca Day Ricketts

Rebecca Day Ricketts, age 67, of Maryville, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2011 at home with her loving family. Mrs. Ricketts was born in Harlan, Kentucky to the late Silas and Margie Day. She made her home in Maryville, TN. Prior to living in Maryville she resided in Knoxville from 1975 to 1995. Rebecca attended Harriman High School and Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. She developed a career in manufacturing administration working for EG&G ORTEC, Technology for Energy and Turtle Mountain Communications. She was a faithful member of Bethel United Methodist Church where she served as Secretary. She and her husband, Gerald, were foster parents for many years and devoted their lives loving and ministering to the needs of many fostered there until Rebecca’s illness made it no longer possible. She enjoyed working with children and being with her family. She also enjoyed dancing and served as President of Tennessee Country Dancers. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Donna Buckner of Black Mountain, NC. She is survived by her devoted husband, Gerald Ricketts, and Children, Donna Burkett, Tom, and his wife Tammy Burkett, Mathew Ricketts, and Christopher Ricketts; grandson, Colby Burkett, all of Maryville; and best friend, Linda Jenkins of Belton, S.C. She will long be remembered for the Love she gave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Becky’s Honor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee, 510 South Willow Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404 or the American Cancer Society, 2330 Chesterfield Dr., Maryville, TN 37803. A Celebration of Becky’s Life will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 in the Smith Trinity Chapel with Rev. Tom Robbins officiating. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 in the Grandview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. in the Trinity Chapel of Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.smithmaryville.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rebecca Day Ricketts please visit our Sympathy Store.