Suzanne Thurston Ricks, 72, of Oak Ridge, TN, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2015 at her home.
She was born August 6, 1942 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of George W. and Anne Kelly Thurston.
Ms. Ricks worked for many years as an executive assistant to the President of Roane State Community College.  She retired from SAIC in 2009 after 17 years of service.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a passionate supporter of the Emory Valley Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, the American Heart Association, St. Jude Catholic School in Chattanooga and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County.
She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and always enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.  She was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed traveling and boating.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Janet Ricks McConnell in 2011.
She is survived by sons, Eddie Ricks and wife Peggy of Chattanooga and Mike Ricks and wife Kim of Huntsville, AL; son-in-law, Keith McConnell of Chattanooga; brothers, Bill Thurston of Houston, TX and John Thurston of Port Neches, TX; sister, Denise Thurston of Houston, TX; former sister-in-law, Charlotte Thurston of Port Neches, TX; grandchildren, Meagan Bunten and husband Isaac of Oak Ridge and Jack McConnell of Chattanooga; great- granddaughter, Miya Ricks of Oak Ridge; close friend, Ken Malveaux of Knoxville; the father of her children, Robert C. Ricks of Oak Ridge; cousins, Jane Gallagher and Kathy Litvinov, both of St. Louis, MO and Pene Lande of Phoenix, AZ and a host of extended family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 6 – 8pm at Weatherford Mortuary.  The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Dustin Collins officiating.
The family asks that any memorials be made in her memory to Second Harvest Food Bank, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville, TN 37801 or to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, 419 N. Market, Chattanooga, TN 37405.
An on-line guest book can be signed at:
weatherfordmortuary.com.