July 26, 2023, 68, Mount Olive —

After having lived a good but simple life, Michael Lee Ricker, on Wednesday afternoon, July 26, 2023, went to be with Jesus, the Savior he often sang about and talked about.  Mikey was 68 years old.  He will be long remembered for his broad smile and kind and sweet spirit about him. 

Mikey is survived by a family that loved him dearly — Brother, David Ricker and wife, Carol, of Conway, Arkansas; Sister, Cynthia Wynette Ricker Wedding and husband, Jim, of Hawesville, Kentucky; Brother, Stanley Ricker and wife, Sue, of the Grantham community, with whom Mikey made his home; Half-sister, Gail Shirey and husband, Steve, of Cape Coral, Florida.  Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Mark Ricker, Misty Dawn Balinsat and husband, Ben, Cody Wedding, Jamie R. Edwards and husband, David, Tara Ricker, Holly Ricker, and Dawn Sutton and husband, Lloyd; and their families; his “grandmama,” Hazel Mills, and his “funny kid” and “twin,” Trey O’Quinn, both of the home.  In addition, there are many special friends including Larry Wise, and Mikey’s “old” cousins, “the Smith girls.”

Waiting on the other side for Mikey was his daddy, William David Ricker; his mother, Sadie Ricker Hoke; his step-daddy, Richard Hoke; a brother, William Dwight “Rick” Ricker; a niece, Charity Grommon; and a nephew, D.J. Carpenter.

A service to remember Mikey will be Saturday, July 29, at 1 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, and will be officiated by the Rev. Jeff Dail.  Burial will follow at Wayne Memorial Park, and it is there that the family will receive friends after the words of committal.