Ella Virginia Ricks

Ella V. Ricks, daughter of the late Hubert Newsome Sr. and Emma Newsome, was born on March 20, 1945, in Jacksonville, Texas. Ella graduated from Fred Douglass High School in Jacksonville, Texas, and received her associate degree from Tyler Junior College.

On February 20, 1965, Ella united in Marriage to Arthur Cartwright Albright Jr., and to this union, one child was born.

Ella became a flight attendant for Frontier Airlines in 1973 until 1986. In June of 1986, she began working for United Airlines. Ella later married Jim Ricks on March 20, 1995.

She moved to Houston, Texas in April of 2017. She was kind-hearted, passionate, and accomplished in her career. She touched the lives of so many with her warmth, wisdom, and generosity. Ella attended Woodlands Church of Christ until her health failed her.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Emma, and Hubert Newsome: her stepmom, Girlean Newsome and her stepsister, Glenda Faye Goree, and her brother, Hubert Newsome Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Arthur Cartwright Albright III: her brothers: Billy (Lolita) Newsome, Bobby (Yvonnie) Newsome, and James (Regina) Newsome: her sisters: Sammie Joe Long, Anita Starling, Debra (Darnell) Kenerson, and Sandra Thompson: adopted grandchildren: Emma Mo ’ne Hodges, Keith Hodges III, and Sophia Elizabeth Starling: along with a host of relatives and friends.

Special recognition is given to Ella’s “Angels” Sharon Rogers, Addie Childs, Debra Kenerson, Roxanne Hodges, and Jim Ricks who were always there when we needed them to provide care and assistance to our sister Ella. Our deepest appreciation for the love that each of you showed Ella. Thank you.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

James 4:13-15

The family of Ella Ricks wishes to express our deepest appreciation to beloved family members and friends for the many comforting prayers, tributes, and other expressions of love and kindness during this time of bereavement.

A memorial service for Ella will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, followed by a reception from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkthewoodlands.com for the Ricks family.