Berniece Ricks-Boyle

1925 - 2023

Berniece Williams Ricks-Boyle, 98, of Rexburg, passed away, Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Homestead Assisted Living in Rexburg.

Berniece Williams was born in Axson Georgia to Jesse Green Williams and Bertie Cole on October 4th, 1925. She was the first of four children. Two girls and two boys.

In 1932 when Berniece was 6 years old her Mother passed away. Three years later her father Jesse married Irene Porter. Together they had two boys. Berniece helped raise her younger siblings.

She graduated from Highschool in Kellogg Idaho. At that time she was living with her Aunt Pearl. She took a Civil Service job with the military as a Secretary and moved to Spokane Washington. Later she transferred to Savannah Georgia. This was during WWII and was where she would meet Norman Earl Ricks. He was a medic in the Navy. They met at church in Savannah and fell in love. They traveled for four days by bus to Idaho to get married.

They would live in Teton Idaho, Provo, Utah, Jamestown Idaho, Shelly Idaho, and then settle in Rexburg Idaho. They had four boys and five girls. Berniece stayed busy with her children and helping others. She was a selfless person who would see a need in someone else and try to fill it. She was an active member of the PTA and Auxillary Club. She earned her associate degree from Ricks College.

Norman and Berniece served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Nauvoo Illinois. There she and Norman were able to share their love of history with others.

Norman passed away in 2005. Berniece remarried in 2007 to Lee Boyle. They enjoyed holding hands and this gave Berniece someone to take care of. Shortly after her 90th birthday Lee passed away.

Berniece enjoyed gardening and planting flowers. She enjoyed reading until Macular degeneration took her site. In 2022 she went to live at the Homestead assisted living. There she found a new purpose in taking care of others again. She was loved by the people she met and served. She will be sorely missed by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by one sibling--Jesse Gray Williams, and one child--Meledy Lords, and one grandchild--Jesse Ricks, and two great grandchildren, Skippy Lords and Henry Dean Martin.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 8th at the Rexburg Center Stake, 590 Summerwood Dr., Rexburg. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home and again from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Teton Newdale Cemetery.