Emily Ann Rickard, age 71, passed away on July 31, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family and a few very close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents CDR Robert Russell and Anna Lee Rickard. She is survived by her loving sister Katherine “Kay” Locklier (Brant), Anniston, AL; Russell Allen Rickard (Anita); Nieces and Nephews, Russell Paul Rickard (Chyrl); Shawna Marie Rickard; Julia Ann Miranda, Anniston, AL; great niece, Kelsey Rene’ Rickard (Dylan Naugle) and great nephew Trevor Cortland Rickard. Emily grew up in Knoxville, TN and started her education at the University of Tennessee. There she became a member of the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta. She joined her sister at and graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1973. Shortly after graduating, she took a position at The Baptist Sunday School Board (now known as Lifeway Christian Resources) in Nashville, TN. In 1989 Emily moved to Savanah, GA to take a new position as the manager of a Lifeway Christian Bookstore. She retired in 2005 and moved back to Knoxville, TN to care for her parents. Since her parents’ passing, Emily has greatly enjoyed her volunteer ministry as writer and editor with Christ to the World Ministries, a worldwide missionary organization. She has edited several hundred radio Bible dramas that are broadcast in more than 50 countries around the world. She has loved and sponsored multiple children in Uganda. Emily loved her family passionately and held her friends very dear. Emily Ann’s many hobbies included playing the piano, reading, bird watching, and taking in the arts and cultural events of all kinds. Emily was also an avid fan of athletics. However, Emily’s greatest passion was traveling, making multiple cross-country trips with friends and family. She traveled to nearly every state in the United States. Her travels and adventures took her to Canada and Mexico, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Emily truly was a world traveler. She especially liked London and took many trips there. Emily saw a plethora of the world’s greatest sights including the pyramids of Egypt, Petra, the Great Wall of China and “the Holy Land”. She saw the finest works from artists such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, Rembrandt, Raphael, Matisse and Monet. Emily loved mountains over any other landscape and was blessed enough to take in the Alps of Switzerland, Austria and Germany. She walked the busy streets of Paris and Rome. She rode a gondola through the canals of Venice. In Jerusalem she trod the steps as did her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now Emily walks along beside Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ to the World Ministries, P. O. Box 360, Judson, TX 75660. Visitation will be held Thursday at Weaver’s Chapel from 11:00 am -1:00 pm with the service to follow. Family and friends will meet at Oak Ridge Memorial Park following service at 2:45 pm for a 3:00 pm interment. All services will be officiated by Rev. Art Criscoe. Condolences are welcome at weaverfuneralservices.com. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home.
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