Zelma Ricketts

Funeral services for Zelma Elizabeth Bates Ricketts, 100, of Killeen will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home Chapel in Killeen with the Rev. Randy Wallace officiating. Burial will follow at Killeen Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Killeen. BRBRMrs. Ricketts died June 10, 2009, at a local hospital. She was born June 17, 1908, in Ewing to James R. Bates and Sarah F. Emmertt; she attended school there until the 11th grade and then graduated from Gatesville High School. She played on championship basketball teams at both schools. While at Gatesville High, she met and soon after graduation married Herman David Slats Ricketts. BRBRShe and her husband started Ricketts Bakery in 1929 in Killeen on Grey Street then moving to Fourth Street. She maintained the bakery on her own during the period of her husband's service in the military, which was not an easy task considering the sugar and flour rationing. After her husband's death, she continued to operate the bakery until her retirement and sold it in 1989, at which time she pursued her hobbies of playing bridge, gardening and watching Ranger's baseball. BRBRMrs. Ricketts was the eldest member of the First Baptist Church of Killeen. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, J.W. Bates, Vernon Bates, Morris Bates, Carl Bates and Shirley Bates; and her sisters, Arabelle Burks and Arline Martin. BRBRSurvivors include her sons, Jimmie Sam Ricketts of Fort Worth and Roger Bates Ricketts of Paris, nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. BRBRHarper-Talasek Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. BRBRMemorials in Mrs. Ricketts memory can be made to: Heritage Care Hospice, 451 E. Central Texas Expressway, Harker Heights, TX 76548

Visitation

HarperTalasek Chapel
506 N. 38th Street
Killeen, TX  76543
Friday, June 12, 2009
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

HarperTalasek Funeral Home
506 N 38th St
Killeen, TX  76543
Saturday, June 13, 2009
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Killeen Memorial ParkHa
3600 Lake Rd.
Killeen, TX  76543

Memorial Contributions

Heritage Care HospiceHa
451 E. Central Texas Expressway
Harker Heights, TX  76548