Brenda Evans. Brenda died on August 10, 2019.
Her obituary: Brenda Buni Dianne Evans Ricketts, July 15, 1944 – August 10, 2019. Born on July 15, 1944, Brenda (Buni) was called home to be with the Lord on August 10, 2019.
The oldest of 4 children, Buni was born in Atlanta, GA on July 15, 1944 to J.B. Henry Evans, Sr. and Pat Broome Evans (Giguere). She was a 1962 graduate of Sprayberry High School and remained close to several of her classmates her entire life. Married to Leslie (Les) C. Ricketts Jr. of East Orange, NJ in November 1966 at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, GA, the couple lived in East Orange when their first two children, Melissa & Bill were born (1968). Shortly thereafter, the family relocated to Marietta, GA where they first attended New Hope United Methodist Church in Marietta, GA. In July of 1973, they welcomed their second son, Daniel Cutler. Twenty-one months later, their youngest son, Patrick Justin (1975) was born.
The Ricketts purchased a home on Church Street in downtown Marietta and soon after became members of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, GA. There Buni taught Sunday School, served in the children and youth ministries and Club 3:30, and spent countless hours in prayer and service to her church family. Buni was a successful partner of her husband in several creative and inspired business ventures, including Mar-War, Inc. (1978), Buckeye Press Inc (1984), and Buni's Flower Cottage (1998). Buni instilled love, integrity, and resolve in her active service to the community. Beginning in her teenage years, she was a member of Marietta Assembly #16 and served with great joy in many leadership roles in the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She also served the Order of the Eastern Star, Order of Amaranth, Ladies Oriental Shrine, and Daughters of the Nile.
Buni was a charitable person, devoting timeless hours to visit sick children in Scottish Rite Hospital as the Easter Bunny. She also supported organizations of Susan G. Komen, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Easter Seals, Boy Scouts of America (Troop 252), National Down Syndrome Society, and the national Kidney Foundation. Beginning in 1999, Buni was afforded her greatest calling, that of a doting grandmother to Madison (1999 to Daniel), Sydney (2000 to Daniel), Abigail (2001 to William), Leslie (2003 to Daniel), Mason (2007 to Daniel), and Jackson (2010 to Daniel). In 1999, Buni and Les moved to Kennesaw, GA from Marietta. In April of 2008, Buni lost Les, her husband and best friend of over 41 years. She then moved from Kennesaw back to Marietta to live closer to her family. Buni was known to so many for her infectious laugh, endearing love, and her innate ability to never meet a stranger. Her resolve and stoic nature made her a pillar of strength throughout her entire life. Possessing great character, generosity, faith, strength, and love, Buni overcame multiple medical challenges to be present as the matriarch of the family that she so cherished. Her strength demonstrated a will that could not be broken. She is survived by her daughter Melissa Anne of Marietta, William Aaron (Dawn) of Kennesaw, Daniel Cutler of Newnan, and Patrick Justin of Acworth, her sisters Norma Saunderson of Kennesaw and Shirley Barker of Kennesaw, her brother J.B. Henry Evans Jr. of Emerson, her aunt Billie Broome of Rydal, GA, and her six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donation can be given to the International Order of Rainbow for Girls or to the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, GA.
[Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, Marietta, Ga., Friday, October 26, 2019, pg. A10]
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