Herman Lee Ricks died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, at River Region Medical Center. He was 72.

Mr. Ricks was born in Benton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He had worked for Miller Transporters, Dura Carpets and Sherwin-Williams before opening Ricks Carpet and Paint Inc., which he operated with his wife for 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Addie Louise Gilmore Ricks; his father, Samuel R. Ricks Sr.; his brother, Jessie T. Ricks; and two sisters, Edna Edmonds and Mary Prichett.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Josephine Martin Ricks of Vicksburg; a son, Phillip Lee Ricks of Temple, Texas; four brothers, Sam R. Ricks of Colorado Springs, Colo., George W. Ricks of Greenville, Willie D. “Bill” Ricks of Benton and Therman D. Ricks of Colonial Heights, Va.; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Brumfield officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation is tonight from 5 until 7 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Stanley Ricks, Christopher Ricks, Ronnie Richardson, Scott Richardson, Rufus Nowell and Blake Clifford.

Honorary pallbearers are Betty White, Mann Nowell, Kelly Nowell and Timothy Mozingo.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook here.