Maxine (Sponcil) Ricketts

Willa Maxine Sponcil Ricketts, widow of John Thomas Ricketts, age 97, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 25, 2021 in Mt. Sterling, KY.  She was born January 24, 1924 in Nicholasville, KY to the late Lindsay W. Sponcil Sr. and the late Hazel Sponcil Gibbs.  She was a 1943 graduate of Mt. Sterling High School and a 1945 graduate of Fugazzi College of Business in Lexington, KY.  She married John Thomas Ricketts February 2, 1952 in Mt. Sterling, KY.  Maxine worked as a bookkeeper for Montgomery County Water District #1 for 47 years and was an employee of Montgomery County Board of Education in Headstart and the Kindergarten program.

She was a life long member of Antioch Christian Church and was loved by her church family where she took great pride in establishing Sugar Babies Class and Baby Dedication program.  Known to others as Mac, Granny Mac or Mac Mac, she was beloved by her family and friends alike.  Maxine was a 65 year member of Montgomery County Homemakers, serving as county president from 1995-1997, was a 4-H sewing leader for many years, in addition to a member of the Kentucky Colonels. 

She is survived by three daughters, Victoria (Gary) Orme, Anne (David) Wills and Hazel (William) Reffitt, eleven grandchildren, Amy Wills Wilson, Tiffany Wills (Ashley) Groves, Kelley Orme (Len) Beverley, Matthew Thomas (Amiee)  Wills, Holly Orme (Donnie) Manley, Whitney Wills (Mike) Richardson, Bethany Orme (Joseph) Dailey, Abby Wills (Daniel) Thompson, John William (Leslie) Reffitt, Shelby Alane Wills and Joel Clay Reffitt.  Maxine was also survived by sixteen great-grandchildren, Hunter Lane (Peyton) Groves, Hannah Brooke Groves, Jacob Thomas Wilson, Zoe Elizabeth Wilson, Zachary Sherman Manley, Ava Juliet Groves, Ryder Clay Reffitt, David Alexander Wills, Brian Liam Groves, Lauren Elizabeth Wills, Willa Elizabeth Reffitt, Alice Rachelle Thompson, Katie Clay Reffitt, Leonard Brooks Beverley and Max Boone Dailey.

In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by a great-grandchild, Ashley Nicole Groves, four brothers, Gilbert "Bud" Sponcil, Lindsay W. Sponcil Jr., Franklin L. Gibbs, John Thomas Sponcil and four sisters, Virginia M. Sponcil, Carolyn G. Donathan, Janice G. Mullins and Mabel Louise Sponcil.  She is survived by three sisters, Margaret (Jim) Dalton, Lida (the late Ronald) Agee, Jean (Tom) Daniel, and three brothers, Stanley (Betty) Gibbs, F.M. (Patsy) Sponcil and Bobby C. Sponcil.

Her memorial celebration is scheduled for Monday, March 1, 2021 at Antioch Christian Church in Mt. Sterling, KY for a private family service which will be live streamed.  Visitation is Sunday, February 28, 2021 from 5-9 p.m.  Masks would be appreciated.  Interment is in Machpelah Cemetery. Pallbearers are sons-in-law and grandsons with honorary pallbearers being granddaughters and great-grandchildren.