Mrs. Carolyn Smith Ricketson, age 82, of Broxton, Georgia, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, September 10, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family following a lengthy illness.
Carolyn was born October 26, 1943, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late Sampson Smith and the late Bettie Swails Smith. She was the youngest of Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s twenty-six children. She was married to her soul mate, the late Ernest Dave “Buddy” Ricketson, Jr. for 59 years prior to his passing in July 2020. Together they raised three beautiful children and created a legacy of love and dedication that will carry on for generations. Along with being a dedicated wife and mother, Carolyn was a school bus driver for twenty-six years. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia. She loved being with kids and enjoyed her role in youth ministry as a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Ashley Ricketson, a son-in-law, James Travis McKinnon, as well as twenty-four brothers and sisters.
Carolyn leaves behind her son, Ray Ricketson and wife, Cathy, of Douglas, Georgia; her daughter, Marguerite R. McKinnon of Broxton, Georgia; her stepson, David Ricketson and wife, Debra, of Wray, Georgia; special friend, Cheyenne Adkins of Ambrose, Georgia; and special guardian, Henry Porter and wife, Geraldine, of Douglas, Georgia nine grandchildren: Hilaree Jackson and husband, Stephen Jr., Nicole Lee and husband, Chip, Gabe Dale and wife, Cody, Lance Ricketson and Natalia, Taylor McKinnon, Clay Adkins, Jared Adkins, Savannah Adkins, and Lindsay Adkins; four great grandchildren; a sister, Elouise S. Wooley of Destin, Florida; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Carolyn’s life will be honored with a funeral service on Saturday morning, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia, with Rev. Jonathan McDuffie and Rev. Don Hattaway officiating. Interment will follow in Reedy Branch Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Carolyn’s family will receive friends at the church Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Youth Ministry at First Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia.
Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Carolyn’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Carolyn’s arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.