Joyce Lundie Ricks

Joyce Lundie Ricks, 100+, passed on to the next adventure Saturday, November 23, 2024. She was born January 5, 1924, in Sheffield, England to Lottie (Charlotte) Allison Lundie, a homemaker, and William Muglas Lundie who worked in steel factories after service in the British Military during the occupation of India. She is preceded by her husband, Edward Monison Ricks, parents and siblings: Elsie, Audrey, Edna, and brother William, who died as an infant. Her mother had a previous family with Mr. Brown that produced 3 step siblings: Phyllis, Herbert, and Rachel, also deceased. She is survived by her children: Kathleen Ricks Taylor (Jack), William Edward Ricks (Linda), her grandchildren: Bryan Edward Ricks (Beth), Allison Ricks Taylor, Graham Matthew Taylor (Nicole), and Heather Lynn Ricks, and her great-grandchildren: Brody Edward Ricks, Macy Joyce Ricks, Maverick Coy Taylor, and Cypress June Taylor.
Joyce led a full life, was generous by nature, and a true daughter of England though she became a dedicated American citizen. She was an avid reader and absolutely loved a cup of tea with a biscuit. Due to World War II, she left school at 14, pursuing various junior jobs until becoming a "Woman of Steel," finding work in an armaments factory that produced engine parts for RAF aircraft, enduring rationing and constant air bombing raids in the heavily industrial area of north Yorkshire. In 1944, she met her young American from Philadelphia, PA., who was stationed near London as part of the 305th Bomb Group. They were married June 2, 1945 and she became a "war bride." This union lasted 69 years until his death at 93 in Tampa, Florida after a 31 year+ career in the USAF/Army Air Corp seeing active duty in WWII, the Berlin airlift and occupation, then in Korea and Vietnam. They lived in England three times, Germany, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Nebraska, Mississippi, Turkey, and finally, Tampa, Florida. Upon his retirement he was recruited by Northrop Grumman Aviation and they lived over 10 years in Saudi Arabia using that opportunity to travel widely throughout the Middle East and Asia. Their final home was Lutz, Florida near both of their children and families who took care of each of them until the end. We wish her well on this latest journey.