Doris Jean Maxwell Ricketts was born Nov. 25, 1933, in Billings, Montana. She was the second daughter of Louis David and Ruth Olive (Davis) Maxwell.
When she was a toddler, her family moved to Washington state for work and settled in Everett, where Doris grew up, attended school and graduated from Everett High School in 1952.
Following graduation, she married Alan Wayne Ricketts of Everett. They had three daughters and one son. Both Doris and Al were active in Church of the Nazarene in south Everett and later Lynwood, Washington.
Doris worked various part-time jobs and had several volunteer positions through the years while raising her family. She worked seven years for Fluke Manufacturing. Some of her favorite jobs were holding preemie newborns at the local hospital and visiting with elderly clients while providing in-home services.
In 2000, Al and Doris relocated to Billings, Montana. They quickly made many friends and became active in the First Church of the Nazarene. After Al passed away in 2002, Doris attended and became an active member at a local grief support group. Later, Doris relocated for a short time to Colorado Springs and then to Evanston, where she began volunteering at the Uinta Senior Center. For several years, she baked sweets for a Tuesday morning coffee time and she also volunteered a few days a week in the kitchen.
She finished her days at Rocky Mountain Care in Evanston, where she was well loved. She was especially close to her grandson, Royce Huntley, of Roundup, Montana, and granddaughter, Monique McInnis, of Evanston. The family is very grateful for how they cared for her.
Doris is survived by her sister, Elsie (Maxwell) Watters of Paulsbo, Washington; daughters, Gayle Smith of Bixby, Olahoma, Susan Decker of Evanston, Jennifer Maxwell (Bob Crandall) of Billings, Montana; and son, Jeffrey (Charlotte) Ricketts of Perryton, Texas; grandchildren, Royce (Glenda) Huntley, Anneka Huntley (Markham Sherwood), Matthew (Stephanie) Smith, Brandon (Rose) Smith, Monique (Brad) McInnis, Jeremy (Brittian) Decker, Jessica Ricketts, John (Kelli) Hensley and Matthew Brown; and 13 great-grandchildren to date.
A memorial service for Doris Jean Ricketts will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31, at For Pete’s Sake Coffee Shop, 900 Main St., Evanston. Light refreshments will follow.
