Mabel Rickard

August 6, 1920 - June 8, 2024

Mabel Catherine Ryman Rickard, 103, of Stephens City, VA passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at English Meadows in Stephens City, VA with her daughter Peggy by her side. 

Mrs. Rickard was born August 6, 1920, in the community of Mt. Olive and Top-Knot located West of Fishers Hill.  She was the fifth of nine children to the late William Lester and Pearl Washington Racey Ryman.  In her youth, Mabel attended Top-Knot school and St. Stephens Lutheran Church.  Mabel was the last survivor of her immediate family.  Her early years included growing up on her parents’ farm where she and her siblings assisted their parents with the many farm chores.  It was on the farm that she learned the skills to survive by growing and preserving for one’s own needs. When Mabel married the love of her life Francis Strother Rickard of Middletown, VA in November of 1936 they purchased a farm near Middletown, VA where she put her gardening and preservation skills to much use as they raised their six children.  Mabel was well-known for her Sunday dinner homemade potato salad, chocolate pudding, and fried chicken.  Mabel enjoyed many of the simple things in life such as Sunday afternoon rides, visits with her siblings, summer picnics, her cat Tiny, and of course her many grandchildren. 

In addition to her parents, Mabel was preceded in death by her husband Francis Strother Rickard; a son Denzil Rickard; great-granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth McDonald; sisters Mary Clem, Alice Payne, Bessie Clem, Dorothy Williams, and brothers Arthur Ryman, Lester Ryman, Carson Ryman, and Harry Ryman. 

Mabel is survived by her sons Rev. W. Chester Rickard (Charlotte) of Roebuck, SC, Roger Rickard, Larry E. Rickard (Becky); her daughters Linda C. McDonald (Dick), and Peggy M. Fleming (the late Dickie) all of Stephens City, VA; her daughter-in-law Ruth E. Rickard of Lebanon Church; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 22 great-great-grandchildren

A funeral service for Mrs. Rickard will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Stover Funeral Home with Rev. W. Chester Rickard officiating.  Burial will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Middletown, VA.

Pallbearers will be Ritchie McDonald, Jeff McDonald, Billy McDonald, Courtney Fleming, Ronnie Rickard, Randy Rickard, Daniel Rickard, and Gene Rickard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Butch Taylor, Dwain Hahn, Bryan Hahn, Mitchell Rickard, Brad Russell, and Travis Russell. 

Memorials may be made to Stephens City Fire & Rescue, 5346 Mulberry St., Stephens City, VA 22655 or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, VA 22601.

You may sign the guestbook and submit your condolences to the family online at www.stoverfuneralhome.com. 

Stover Funeral Home and Crematory, Strasburg, VA is serving the family of Mrs. Mabel Catherine Ryman Rickard.