Shawnreno "Chief" Ricks

Shawnreno “Shawn” Ricks was born Sunday, September 14, 1969, in Soperton, Georgia. He was a God-Fearing man who carried the love of God everywhere he went. Shawn never really met a stranger and would help anyone in need. He planted a seed of love in the life of everyone he met whether it was financially, through words of encouragement, or by physically taking the time to help his fellow man.

Shawn was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and stood firm in his belief, like a tree planted by the waters. He did not waiver in his Faith and was obedient to the word of God. He was a man known by many names: Husband, Daddy, Doc, Minister, Elder, Chief, and True Man of God. Shawn was also a man of many talents. He played the bass guitar and harmonica, wrote and sang songs, cooked for family and friends, fed the homeless, owned his own handyman business, instructed others how to work out, ran in marathons, preached the word of God, and so much more. Shawn had a contagious smile and laughter that was noticed by everyone he met. Most of all, SHAWN TRULY LOVED HIS FAMILY!

Shawn was a 1988 graduate of Dublin High School, located in Dublin, Georgia. Following graduation, he immediately joined the Navy and became a Navy Hospital Corpsman. While serving in the military, he became a minister and later, under the leadership of the late Samuel P. Nesbitt, Shawn became an Ordained Elder at the Church of God in Christ Temple located in Jacksonville, Florida. After serving 24 years in the United States Navy, Shawn retired as Chief Shawnreno Ricks.

Shawn will always be remembered by his famous war cries:

GLORRRRRRRRRRY and HALLELUUUUUUUJAH!

Our beloved Shawnreno Ricks entered eternal rest on Saturday, September 3, 2022. He was 52 years of age. Shawn was preceded in death by his father, Allen Ricks Jr.; mother, First Lady Fornetta (Davis) Phillips; and dad, Elder Curtis Phillips.

Elder Shawnreno Ricks was known, loved, and preceded in death by his daughter, Shileia Deshawn Griffith; sister, Takisa Hall; brother, Dewayne Davis; paternal grandparents, Allen and Myrtice (Wheeler) Ricks; maternal grandparents, Willie and Carrie (Atkins) Davis; grandparents, Elder JC and Frances Phillips; god-grandparents, Samuel and Emma Jean Martin; and brother-in-law, Eugene Smith.

Left to cherish his memories are a loving and devoted wife, Rachel Ann Ricks; daughters, Chelsea Elyssé Ricks of Jacksonville, Florida, Zoie Price, and Emma Ricks, both of Columbus, Ohio; sons, Shawn Ricks Jr. and Samuel Ricks of Jacksonville, Florida; granddaughter, La’Nore Olojugba; siblings, Fred (Regina) Stokes, Donna Regina Knight, Mark Phillips, Angenita Smith, Bishop Kendall E. (Farrah) Phillips, Pam Wright, Rachel Ricks, Delbert (Amber) Phillips, Kim Ricks, Francene Phillips, James Cutreal (Jennifer) Phillips, and Timothy Ira Phillips; special sisters, Reshecia McNeil and Darla White; aunts and uncles; several special nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, godchildren, and close friends.