Ricky Vice Obituary, Death; – Earlier this month, 18-year-old Ricky Vice tragically lost his life in an accident on Highway 36 in Bath County.
“When he loved, he loved deeply,” remarked Vice’s mother, Rebecca Sams. “Every single day when he left the house, he would say, ‘I love you, Mamaw,’ and he always made sure to hug and kiss me. He never departed without expressing it,” added his grandmother, Patricia Thomas.
This profound love is what Sams and Thomas say motivates them to move forward. Thomas noted that the support from the community has also provided them with strength. During Vice’s memorial services, Thomas was astonished by the number of attendees.
“It was incredibly touching to see so many teenagers from various counties come together for him. We had no idea he had touched so many lives. Because of their support, we feel compelled to give something back,” Thomas stated. This desire has led them to pursue the establishment of Ricky’s Place, a non-profit gathering space for local youth. “Rather than having them loiter on the streets, we want to provide them with a safe environment,” Sams explained.
She further mentioned that the facility will feature a pool table, arcade games, snacks, and other amenities for children to enjoy. Thomas revealed that she purchased a parcel of land near her residence last year, where they plan to construct Ricky’s Place. However, she emphasized the need for additional funding to bring this initiative to fruition.
“The primary motivation for this project is to honor him. He contributed so much to this community, and now we wish to give back. We want the community to remember him, and by spending time there, they will be spending time with Ricky, as this will be his place,” Thomas expressed.
Sams announced that the family will be hosting a bake sale at the Owingsville Save-A-Lot on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to raise funds for Ricky’s Place. Additionally, they have set up a GoFundMe page, which can be accessed here. The family has also opened a dedicated account for Ricky’s Place at the C.
