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Natalie Rocha Ricks
06/10/1944 - 04/05/2026
Natalie Rocha Ricks, 81 of Bracey, VA, passed away at her home on April 5, 2026 with her family by her side. She was born June 10, 1944 in Carrizo Springs, TX as one of 14 children to her late parents, Domingo and Dominga Rocha. At a young age, her family relocated to Toledo, OH, where she grew up and graduated locally from Waite High School, class of 1963. After graduation, she relocated to Virginia, where she met Cecil Ricks and after just 5 weeks of dating, realized their love for one another and were married. Natalie and Cecil spent the following 59 years enjoying life together, raising their three sons and creating wonderful memories. Natalie is survived by her loving husband, Cecil Ricks; two sons, Chad Ricks (Kelly) of Aylett,VA and Carey Ricks of Bracey, VA; 8 siblings, Sophia, Julius, Richard, Anita, Rachel, Debbie, Armando and Irene; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many additional relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her son, Craig Ricks; and siblings, Lucy, Emiteria, Berna and Domingo, Jr. A private Celebration of Life will be held later. Online condolences may be made through our website, www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ricks family.
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About Us
At Crowder-Hite-Crews we’ve always been proud to say that we are large enough to serve and small enough to care. When you choose us, we consider this a sacred trust between your family and ours. We offer a full range of funeral service, whether for a traditional funeral or cremation, and we are able to assist families worldwide. In February of 2004 we installed a crematorium to better serve our cremation families. We now do all cremations in our facility, saving transport to another location for this service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the cremation process.
Family owned and operated since 1972.
Situated on a 3-acre pastoral setting.
1st Place in Reader’s Choice for Funeral Service (17 years running).
Staff members are active in many civic organizations in the area, including Lions, Rotary, Moose Lodge, Masons, Ruritan, and Chamber of Commerce.
Owners are former Presidents of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and Southside Funeral Directors Association.
We always help you apply for Social Security and Veterans benefits!
We also help with completing life insurance claim forms.
Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home & Crematory
PO Box 422
1504 N. Mecklenburg Ave.
South Hill, VA 23970
Local (434) 447-7171
Fax (434) 447-3212
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Friend
Natalie you will truly be missed by us. We loved seeing you when we came down with Craig and recently with Sandy. Ronnie will definitely miss your Chorizo and eggs. You and Cecil were there when I needed a place to stay when Ronnie and Craig went out of town for storm work. You gave me a suitcase to borrow cuz my clothes were in a trash bag. Cecil took me to the bus station and stayed with me the whole time until it arrived 2 hrs late. I can’t imagine coming down to the lake and not hearing your stories. We will love and miss you.
Niece
Aunt Cali you were my 2nd Mother. i remember going t swimming at the Elks Lodge crabbing and going to my first concert KC and the Sunshine Band. You were a big fan of Elvis Presley. Thank you for your love, time and patients. You touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
Much Loved Aunt
Aunt Cali (Natalie) was an ever-present constant in our family growing up.
She was always there to babysit her nieces when we were young. She enjoyed taking care of children and loved her pets so much. I always marveled at the way children and animals listed to her.
It was fun to have Cali and Uncle Cecil living close by. They took us out on the boat, took us crabbing and taught us how to play cards and board games.
Aunt Cali loved her husband and her boys. She made sure that their names all kept with the initials C.A.R., just like their dad. It was a joy to watch her at the ball fields cheering her boys on while Uncle Cecil coached.
She loved her crab meat and really liked it when Uncle Cecil did all the picking, and she did all the eating.
She was always there for her sisters and brothers. She was just a phone call away.
She was there for my daughters. She was there for our eldest who needed an adult designated license driver for a week. She was patient.
Cali always had you on her radar, even when she visited the flea markets. She always found a treasure that she knew you would enjoy. She was right!
She had a story/ memory for every item that decorated her home. I loved that about her. I appreciated her decorating for the seasons and her love of snowmen.
She loved everyone very deeply and had a sixth sense about things. She was a very special person.
Vaya con Dios, mi Tía
You meant the world to us Natalie
I met Natalie, Cecil and the boys, as a young
girl, working at a convenient store. They would
come in and play pac-man. Natalie would order
nachos with chili and extra cheese. Of course,
Natalie always had to have her extra jalapeños.
I was expecting a baby within a few weeks and I was looking for child care. Cecil
came in one day, and I asked him if he knew of anyone
interested in watching a newborn. He said, “You
know, my wife just mentioned to me that she
would like to take on a babysitting job.” I was
so happy! Natalie and I talked in the upcoming
weeks and I told her that once I had my baby,
I would bring the baby to meet her. When Trish
was born, I brought her to meet Natalie. You should
have seen Natalie’s face, she was thrilled when she saw
that pink blanket. I thought she was going to cry, she
was so happy. She was the best person I could
have ever been blessed with to care for my children.
They loved “Nannie” as they named her. She taught
me how to be a mom. She gave me grace when I
didn’t even know I needed it. She was a gift to our
entire family. She and Cecil (Cece) came to all of the kids
special moments and I will never forget them for that.
Natalie, I love you and I will always remember the
way you treated me and my family. Rest easy and
know that you will always be remebered as the loving
gracious, beautiful personthat you were. I will miss
you so very much.
Sis N Law
Heartfelt sympathy to Cecil and family. Cannot imagine your family gathering without All the pre-prepared food Natalie had ready!
My Prayers for my brother and family during these days of loss. God Bless…💕
Cousin
My deepest condolences to Cali’s family, so very sorry to all your family, my love to you all, now you will be with your dear loved ones. Angie Middlebrooks