Sarah Smith Ricks

SAN MARCOS - Sarah Marie "Smokey" Ricks (nee Smith) passed away on August 21, 2014, at the age of 91. Sarah was born in Gainesville, Florida, July 6, 1923, one of four children, the daughter of Charles T. Smith and Annie Eleanor Smith (nee Bennett) . She was given her nickname, "Smokey", because her skin was not fair like her siblings. While attending Gainesville High School, she was a cheerleader, she participated in the Junior Welfare League's Production of "Hooray America", in which she sang in the chorus and was a "Hips Hips Hooray" bathing beauty, she was a member of the Little Women (Junior Association) of the 20th Century Club, she was a winner of the High School Flower Show with her cornflower arrangement, and, in her senior year, she was voted "Most Popular", "Best Looking", and "Most Datable" girl. Sarah won the title of "Miss Gainesville" in the Capital Prize Beauty Pageant for the 1941-42 season. Smokey was a Navy wife during World War II, the Korean War, and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, married to the late Capt. Robert B. Ricks, USN, Ret. Smokey and Bob were married for sixty-eight wonderful years, until his passing in 2009. She was always proud to say she "followed her husband's ship", at places that included Norfolk, Japan, San Francisco, and Long Beach. After Bob's retirement from the Navy, in 1965, Smokey discovered her talent in sales, and she became a successful realtor with Muntz Realty, in Long Beach, California. She also was active in the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, where she was one of the key players in bringing the Queen Mary to Long Beach Harbor. Smokey like to tell how she, in the 1960's, was one of the first women to be issued a "Bank Americard" credit card in her name only, without her husband having to be on the account. Smokey retired from real estate in 1969. In the early 1980's, she and Bob purchased the former Baker's Yacht Sales, at Oceanside Harbor, in Oceanside, California, which became Ricks Yacht Sales. They owned the business for six years, where she was a successful saleswoman and Bob was broker. Then, she and Bob sold the Yacht Sales, and they continued to enjoy boating and the life of the sea. Sarah and Bob are reunited in Heaven with their infant first daughter, Sally, who passed away at age 14 months. Sarah is survived by two daughters, Jean Craddock (Hugh) and Kathryn Zacker (David), and a son, Robert B., Jr. (Patie); seven grandchildren: Holly Gifford (Jeff), Hugh, Jr., Amber Craddock (Konrad Benitz), Robin Craddock, Joey Craddock, Shannon McInnis (Frank), and Donovan Ricks (Amy); four great-grandchildren: Trevor and Riley McInnis, and Karleigh and Jameson Ricks. Sarah also has family in Florida, Georgia, and California, as well as many friends who will miss her vivaciousness, generosity, and wonderful sense of humor.

Sarah Smith Ricks

July 6, 1923 - August 21, 2014