Lorrenzo Overton Ricks

LORRENZO OVERTON RICKS

February 7, 1933 – August 5, 2024

In the gentle embrace of a summer's day, Lorrenzo Overton Ricks, at the age of 91, peacefully departed this world on Monday, August 5, 2024, surrounded by the love and warmth of his family and friends. Born on February 7th, 1933, in Churchland, VA. to Mary and Atron Ricks, Lorenzo’s life began shortly after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration, a sign of the remarkable journey that lay ahead.

 Growing up in the heart of a close-knit community, Lorrenzo learned the values of resilience and service during the rationing and shortages of World War II, lessons he cherished and passed on through generations. His early days were filled with the joy of serving others, from walking to Grove Baptist Church to show movies in nearby communities, to driving the school bus at the tender age of nine. His spirit of giving continued through his education at Norfolk County High School and Virginia State College, where he majored in physics and minored in mathematics, worked for the Chaplain, and chronicled special events as a photojournalist and actively pursued professional photography.

Lorrenzo’s life was a tapestry of love, faith, and dedication. He was commissioned as an officer into the US Army Signal Corps. He married his college sweetheart Everline Cox in 1955, and together they built a family rooted in happiness and unwavering faith.

His professional journey took him from Westinghouse Electric to the Department of Energy, where he became a beacon of expertise and innovation.

Lorrenzo’s contributions to his communities, whether through service in and with the church, or civic engagements, were the threads that wove have a legacy of kindness, justice, and integrity.

Lorrenzo will be forever cherished by his wife Everline, their children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Peace to his journey~

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to the Clinton AME Zion Church Progressive Club Scholarship Fund.

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