Dianne Mabry Ricks

Dianne Mabry Ricks was born on a farm near Eure North Carolina on 24 September 1948 to Eugene Curtis Mabry and Sally Fowler Mabry. She was the only daughter with six brothers: Eugene Patrick (Mable), David Pickford (Eva), Lemual Thomas (Dianne), John Paul (Barbara), Lloyd Aaron (Debbie) and Jerry Finis (Racheal). Her family relocated to Potecasi NC where she grew up, attending Woodland School, graduating from Northampton County High school. She continued her education in cosmetology and interior design.

She married Bill Ricks of Conway NC on 3 October 1966 and is the mother of two children, William Alan and Robert Edward (Kendra). She traveled with Bill, to seventeen locations in 27 years of service, supporting his US Army career.

Dianne was trained and licensed in Cosmetology and Interior Design. She worked as a representative for Merle Norman cosmetics and Estee Lauder. Dianne worked in sales, management, and interior design for furniture stores. After returning from Germany, she continued her interior design career working for several companies. She opened and managed one of the largest La Z-Boy stores. the Kingstown La Z-Boy, expanding their design service. It was featured in La Z-Boy commercials.

She was very active in the community, with charities, homeless shelters, battered spouse shelters and community action groups. She was a member of Christ Church. She helped support deployed military members and civilians. She led fund raising drives and organized social events for those who were less fortunate. Her kidney disease took her to Walter Reed Hospital where she provided gifts, food and snacks to the Pediatric ward each Christmas. After the 9/11 attack, she expanded her service to Walter Reed, going beyond the pediatric ward into all 10 wards. She organized volunteers to provide gifts for each soldier and their children and spouses. Each ward had a custom Christmas tree and Christmas goodies. She was a wonderful, kind, and loving spouse, mother, and friend. She never met a person that she did not like.

A celebration of life will be held for her at Christ Church 7600 Ox Road Fairfax Station Virginia 22039 on Friday 10 July 2026. The family welcomes family and friends for visitation at 10 am and a celebration of life at 11 am.