Alfonzo "Pee Wee" Ricks, Sr., the only child of John and Sarah Ricks, was born on August 9, 1925 in Morgan City, Mississippi. Early in life, he confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Leflore County. After attending Leflore County schools through eleventh grade, anxious to see what the world had to offer, he left his beloved parents' home and traveled to Chicago to live with relatives. He worked several odd jobs during his time away from Mississippi. After his twelve years' stay, this handsome young twenty-eight year old experienced "love at first sight" when he beheld the lovely Josie B. Harris. Their brief courtship culminated with marriage on April 12, 1954. They eventually settled in Drew, Mississippi, and Josie(who preceded him in death) encouraged him to join her church, East Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as an usher for over twenty-five years. The couple later became members of Merry Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Minter City and from 2004 until their deaths, they were members of New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Much like any wide-eyed child, each of Pee-Wee's six children probably, at some point, proudly proclaimed "my dad can do anything". And they were absolutely correct. He was a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, a mechanic, and a farmer. he performed any job before him with precision and with a mastery that rivaled that of any technically trained craftsman. He, however, had no formal training at nay of these jobs, but was a self-taught perfectionist. While employed by both Brooks and Buford Plantations, he was considered the chief handyman and general fixer. There was no job too complex for Pee-Wee. Not only was he known for his competency and quiet-spoken honesty, but his integrity garnered him the admiration and respect of his peers and supervisors alike. He had an exemplary work ethic and it was well known that his yea was yea and his nay was nay. He believed in fairness and humility and taught his children these virtues. He was proud of his children's and grandchildren's many accomplishments. Being blessed to see the fruits of his labor, as his life drew to its close, he was touched to see that he had made a difference.