Phyllis Ricks

On June 6, 2022, God sent His Angel to receive His child Phyllis.  He knew it was time to give her rest.

Phyllis Ricks was born February 22, 1953, in Norfolk, VA, to the late Albert Howard Lee and the late Lessie Mae Cowan Roberts.

Phyllis was educated in the Norfolk Public School System attending Madison and Maury High Schools.  In 1970, Phyllis married Melvin Ricks, Sr. and to this union 3 children were born, Tanya, Melvin Jr., and Schameeka (her 3 biscuits).  Phyllis worked for McDonald’s, Norfolk Naval Base, Captain D’s, Morrison’s Cafeteria, and Sentara Leigh Memorial Hospital as a dietary aide, cook and waitress.

In 1998, Phyllis left Norfolk, VA for a new start in Waukegan, IL.  While in IL, she worked for Clearbrook and The Wright Home as a caretaker.  After being in Waukegan for 18 years, she relocated to Fayetteville, NC in 2016.  Then in 2019, her final stop was where it all started, Norfolk, VA.

Phyllis loved people and was a stand-up comedienne in her own rights.  From telling a joke or just singing the lyrics to any song loud and wrong; she could have you laughing uncontrollably followed by her favorite saying, “Girl, leave me alone!” She was always the life of the party!  She was a lover of music; which made every karaoke experience and party that much more fun because of her presence. She enjoyed eating blue crabs and watching her favorite movie, Iron Man. She loved her grandchildren a lot but there was something special about those great-grands.  Three of them had the pleasure of having grandma in the home and seeing her on a daily basis at certain times during her life.  Caylyn, Duece, and Madyson could bring a smile to her face on any bad day she was having.  

Phyllis was a daughter, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to so many.  She will truly be missed!

Phyllis was preceded in death by her father, Albert Howard Lee; mother, Lessie Mae Cowan Roberts, brothers, Eddie, Richard, and Ryland “Happy D” Lee, sisters, Leslie Marie Lee and Marilyn Suzette Lee.  She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Tanya “Michelle” Clark (Donald) of San Diego, California; Melvin “Charlie” Ricks (LaToya) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Schameeka Ricks of Norfolk, Virginia; sisters, Regina Lee Cuffee (Jeremiah) and Marlene Bernadette Lee both of Chesapeake, Virginia; Grandchildren, Dominique “Que”, Ebony (Corneilus), Derrion; Asmara, Stephane, Tenia, Christopher, Diondre, Troy, Trenae, Ta’Shara “Tee-Tee”, Makayla, Gregory, and Myliyah; Great-Grandchildren, Judea “Ju-Ju”, Caylyn, Carter, Corneilus II “Duece”, Madyson, and Kobe; a special niece, Bonnie Lee; best friends, Althea Wilkerson and Evelyn Gray; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

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