Barbara D. Ricks' Obituary
Barbara Deitch Ricks, age 87, of Folsom, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at home surrounded by her family after a brief illness. She was born on November 26, 1936, at the Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Barbara leaves behind her children, Valerie Waits Fuller (Pat), Richard Waits (Tammy), and Timothy Waits (Chris); twelve grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 19 years, Paul E. Ricks; parents, Austin and Beulah Deitch; and sisters, Janice Young and Carolyn Cresson.
The first of three daughters to Austin and Beulah Deitch, Barbara began her schooling at Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans, graduating from high school in 1954. She then attended LSU and graduated from LSUNO in 1969 with a degree in Secondary Education. While attending college and raising three children, she worked for the National American Bank (Governor Claiborne Office) as a Collections Teller until graduation. In the mid 1970’s, Barbara married Paul Ricks, the love of her life, remaining married until his passing.
Barbara began her teaching career in 1969 at Booker T. Washington, sharing a love for teaching with her youngest sister Carolyn. She joined the United Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO) and became a union activist, serving on the UTNO Executive Board and on its Collective Bargaining team, heading its efforts for high school counselors. While teaching, Barbara attended night classes and earned a master’s degree in counseling from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She then transitioned from her role as a teacher, becoming a guidance counselor at Booker T. Washington. She was beloved by her students, guiding them to understand “they were braver than they believed, stronger than they seemed, and smarter than they thought.”
Barbara was tasked by the OPPS administration to create the School Business Partnership Program (SBPP) for OPPS partnering a New Orleans’ Business with each of its 110 schools. It was challenging, but she believed creating excellence didn’t happen without hard work. SBPP was a major success, bringing in millions of dollars in funds, services, and equipment, along with excellent mentoring programs and an annual Championship Breakfast that honored students who excelled in their studies.
Upon retirement, Barbara moved to the Covington/Folsom area to be close to her three children and grandchildren. During this time, she continued to teach as a tutor for elementary students in Folsom. She had a great love for gardening and interior design—designing and planting the gardens surrounding her home while also decorating her home inside and out for each holiday. She had even designed her home itself and supervised its building. Barbara was an avid reader and belonged to a small Northshore book club comprised of treasured friends. She dabbled in art, taking up oil and watercolor painting at a local art studio and decorating her walls with many of her paintings. Involved in genealogy, she and her sister Janice traced their family roots back to the early 1600’s, determined to learn of their family’s history. While her children were young, she traveled across America with them sharing the history of our country—she was quite a history buff. Later she would travel the world with her husband Paul. She also took her mother and disabled father on trips before their passing. She loved animals, adopted dogs, and took in unwanted cats later in life. Her life was always filled with family. Family was everything to her. Barbara’s history is one of a life well lived, replete with love of family, and a commitment to make her small piece of the world better.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to St. John the Baptist Church, 11345 St. John Church Road, Folsom, LA 70437. Donations may also be given online at stjohnbaptistfolsom.org.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 1:30 PM at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, Louisiana.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Mrs. Ricks’s funeral arrangements. Her family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
How did Barbara make you smile?
