Raleigh Mr. Curtis Dean Ricketts, age 59, passed away on Tuesday morning, October 10, 2017 at UNC Rex Heart & Vascular with his beloved daughter by his side.
Curtis was born in Missouri to parents, Paul Wilson Ricketts and Doris Wilson Ricketts, and was also raised by loving stepmother, Audrey Spearman Ricketts. He was the oldest of five children Terri, Stephen, Scott, and Alex. The Ricketts family moved to Wadesboro, North Carolina in 1965 where Curtis attended Bowman High School graduating in 1976. Curtis was a proud Wake Forest Demon Deacon.
Curtis was a true southern gentleman who loved his family, friends and State. He was a passionately patriotic person who fervently believed in the principles of our founding fathers. With this deep conviction, he naturally gravitated to a life of public service and worked for the Great State of North Carolina for 30 years. Influenced greatly by his father, Curtis developed a passion for insurance and began working with the NC Department of Insurance in 1986, where he met Kelly Smith, the mother of his only daughter. Curtis later worked for the Department of Labor for 8 years. In 2002, he began working for the Division of Employment Security (DES) where he finished his career as the Director of Organizational Effectiveness. In recognition of his dedication and service, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. bestowed upon Curtis the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
There were many joys in Curtis life. He enjoyed spending time researching family history and traveling. He cherished the precious time he spent with his many friends whom he loved dearly. He could frequently be found shagging at Loafers Beach Club or at Ocean Drive shagging on the Strand. One of his greatest joys in life was watching his daughter Annalie figure skate, never once missing a show or competition.
Curtis is survived by his greatest love, his daughter, Annalie Kelly Gray Ricketts of Charlotte; her mother, Kelly Smith; three brothers, Scott Ricketts and Mary of Rockingham, Stephen Ricketts and Jennifer of Wadesboro, and Alex Ricketts, of Norwood; a sister, Terri Ricketts Burris and Ronnie of Wadesboro; and his step-mother, Audrey S. Ricketts of Norwood.
Curtis was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Gay Ricketts as well as his parents, Paul Wilson Ricketts and Doris Wilson Ricketts.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Mt. Beulah Baptist Church in Wadesboro, N.C. The family will greet friends before the service beginning at 10:30AM.
Memorials may be made to the Anson County Arts Council, 110 S Rutherford St., Wadesboro, NC 28170; the N.C. Diabetes Association, 1300 Baxter St. #150, Charlotte, NC 28204; or the American Heart Association, 128 S Tryon St #1588, Charlotte, NC 28202.
