Ricky Antonio Nickles, II was born June 11, 1989 in Atlanta, Georgia to Ricky Antonio Nickles, Sr. and Rose LaTonia Nickles.  God called him home on Thursday, July 6, 2017.

Ricky was a devoted father to his three children: Gabby “Gab”, Ricky “Rick”, and Trinity who was his “Ladybug”. Ricky cherished the ground his children walked on. When he became a father, he set his mind on his children’s care, nourishment, and protection. Ricky’s most valued achievement was being recognized by the Seneca Head and Early Start School as “Father of the Year” for the 2016-2017 school year. With a beautiful and happy personality, Ricky met no stranger. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, steadfast loyalty, generous hugs and effervescent smile.

Ricky was a proud 2008 graduate of Irmo High School in Columbia, South Carolina where he played on the Yellow Jackets’ Varsity football team. His position as strong safety gained him the nickname “Hitman #47”. Ricky’s football talents shined through as he was a participant in both the 2006 and 2007 Nike Football Camps held at the University of Georgia. He was also a member of the Irmo Varsity track team. Ricky attended South Carolina State University and Midlands Technical College, where he studied Human and Health Services. He had a desire for working with people. Although he had many career paths, Ricky was most passionate about working alongside his father in the family business, New Alpha Foundation, which assists individuals with mental health and drug addiction recovery and wellness. Ricky was an avid South Carolina Gamecock Football fan. He also enjoyed writing in his journal, listening to music, weightlifting, eating sunflowers seeds, and spending time with family and friends.

Ricky’s Christian path was formed early in life. While in second grade at H.B. Rhame Elementary School, Ricky wrote a poem he called I Have a Dream: “I have a dream that people will be friends. I have a dream that we will all see God. I have a dream that we will see life. I have a dream. I have a dream that we will all sing the same song.” Ricky’s strong Christian faith guided his path. In November of 2016, he was touched by the Holy Spirit and was anointed at High Calling Ministries in Anderson, South Carolina. Blessed, Blessed, and Blessed.

Left to cherish precious memories and a wonderful legacy are: his wife, Leah Nickles; his son Ricky Antonio Nickles, III; daughters, Gabrielle Kalee Nickles and Trinity Faye Love Nickles; his father, Ricky Antonio Nickles, Sr., and mother, Rose LaTonia Nickles; brothers, Everett Downing Lauren Nickles and Terry Raymond Fant Nickles; sisters, Brittney Lee (Christopher) Smith and Sena Rose (Dexter Gamble) Nickles; his grandparents: Billy Joe (Ethelene) Nickles, Sr., Jacob Roy Jones, Sr. and Jimmie Jones, Sr.; nephews, Christopher Allen Smith, Jr. and Carter Fitzgerald Smith; nieces: Brandie Fant, Taneisha Fant, Cherish Fant and London Fant; uncles: Billy Joe Nickles, Jr., Danny Alcendo Nickles, Michael Haltiwanger, Jacob Roy (Marie) Jones, Lawrence Charles Jones and Michael Anthony (Sandra) Jones; aunts: Tammy (Bernard) Durham, Deborah Deneece (Isaiah) Davis, Silva Ann (Victor) Stewart, Audrey Marie Jones and Kathleen Marguerite (Oswaldo) Rivera; angel aunts: Kimberly Grimes (Rushie) Solomon, Cassandra Pickett, Karen (John) Singletary, Marcel (Terrance) Boykin and Marie Jones McCullom. Ricky also leaves to cherish his memory a host of great aunts and uncles, cousins, other loving relatives, dear friends and his special family and friends in Seneca and Westminster, South Carolina.

Ricky was predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Rosemary Simmons Jones; great aunties: Mary M. Jones, Minnie M. Jones and Barbara P. Ivey; uncle, Alfred Fitzgerald Jones of Columbia, South Carolina and great uncle, Pete Grimes.