Mr. Sammy Darwin Ricks, Sr., age 83, of Adrian died Sunday, August 6, 2017, after a long illness with heart disease.

Mr. Ricks was a lifelong resident of Adrian and was preceded in death by his parents, John Arthur "J. A." and Bessie Ricks; son, Sammy "Buddy" Ricks, Jr.; sisters, Alice Merritt, Etta Kapers, Annie Stafford; and brother, Buck Ricks.  He was retired from Dublin Glass and Body Shop after twenty-three years.  Everyone loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Jean Copeland Ricks; children, Pam Ricks of Wrightsville, Gail (Bobby) Pritchett of Jackson, Jerry (Tracy) Ricks of Sandersville, Allen Ricks, Terry (Sandra) Ricks, James Dennis Shepherd, all of Dublin, and Tammy Shepherd Scarboro of Harrison; sister, Polly (Gerome) Foskey of Adrian; sixteen grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and  nephews.

Graveside services will be held in Ricksville Cemetery, Emanuel County, at 11 o'clock Wednesday, August 9, with Chaplain Curt Tootle officiating.  Sammons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.