Born on a farm in Guilford County North Carolina in 1924, to a Quaker family,

Ricky knew the meaning of work. She was the second of seven children born to Bascom Lee and Elsie Mae Richardson. Ricky was frequently in charge of her younger siblings and had fond memories of all of them playing down at the branch (creek). She met John N. Scripps at college thanks to alphabetical seating and married him three years later. One summer before having children, Ricky traveled the country with John and three other men in John's brass ensemble as their piano accompanist.

In 1945 John and Ricky moved to John's home state of Michigan. They had four children: Steve (Pam) Scripps, Sharon (Frank) VanHaven, Stan(Ann) Scripps, and Stuart (Kim) Scripps.

She was a traditional and yet adventurous mother, always supportive of John's endeavors. In 1953 when he started a new business called Christian Music Center (later Meyer Music), she served as bookkeeper and secretary. Ricky was a well-loved piano teacher to many students, and she also volunteered frequently at her church and at St. Cecilia. She helped a great deal with fund raising in the early days of Wedgewood Acres Christian Homes, serving vulnerable teenagers. In addition to supporting John's business endeavors, Ricky was first mate on many travel adventures: camping with the family, traveling to Europe in 1964 with John and the four kids, and later traveling the U.S. with John in an RV, exploring many national parks and other places of interest.

Ricky was a great lover of plants and animals. The family always had a dog, and every summer would make the pilgrimage to Grandpa's Farm in North Carolina where the kids learned to milk cows and gather eggs and vegetables. Her homes were always beautified by her gardens. For many years, Ricky was an avid knitter, and produced sweaters, afghans and dishcloths for many relatives. She always had several hand knitted items on hand to use as gifts for friends and relatives.

Ricky outlived her husband, John, siblings, one dear grandson and most of her friends, but remained steadfastly connected to her children, her 10 grandchildren and her 17 great grandchildren. She rarely ever missed sending each one a carefully selected birthday card.

In dying at 100 years of age, Ricky finished a lifelong example for us. She fought the good fight, finished her race, holding on to her faith in Christ. Her children still remember how the days in her home would start with the Morning Chapel Hour on the radio. At evening devotions, she would always thank the Lord for His "many blessings". She was actively involved in the local church. Maranatha Bible & Missionary Conference played a big part in her life. John proposed to her at Maranatha. She spent many summers and happy years in retirement at Maranatha and left a godly heritage for all her children and their families.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on Wednesday February 21, 2024 at Brookside Christian Reformed Church with a memorial service at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Cecilia Music Society or Brookside Christian Reformed Church.