Bobbie Eugene Dow Ricard was born June 11, 1939 (with a twin Shirley Mae Dow Harris) to the union of Rubin Dow, Sr. and Serena Wallace Dow of Kenbridge, Virginia.

She received her education in the Lunenburg County School system.

At an early, she confessed to Christ and joined Blackwell Temple AME Zion Church in Kenbridge. She served on several committees until her health began to fail.

Bobbie left this area to secure employment in Newark, New Jersey and several other states before retiring and returning home. She was most recently employed by Reiss Manufacturing in Blackstone before her health declined.

On March 25, 1985, Bobbie joined in Holy Matrimony to Raymond Ricard. To this union there were four children and later an adoptive daughter.

She departed this life on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Blackstone.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rubin Dow, Sr. and Serena Wallace Dow; brothers Rubin, Jr. and David Dow; sister Betty Dow Gunter and great-niece Resheema S. Dow.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Raymond Ricard, Sr. of Biloxi, Mississippi; five children; Raymond Ricard, Jr. of San Diego, California; Jerome of Birmingham, Alabama; Kathy and June of Lorton, Virginia; Shanika of Newark, New Jersey; four sisters: Shirley Harris (her twin), Emma Hite and Susie Jones all of Kenbridge, Virginia; Mary Webb of Blackstone, Virginia; one aunt Gladys McFadden, one uncle Gussie McFadden of Newark, New Jersey; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law Shirley Hite Dow of Kenbridge, Virginia; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 5, 11 a.m. at Blackwell Temple AME Zion Church, Kenbridge, Va. with The Rev. Elizabeth Saunders, Pastor and The Rev. Yvonne W. Bridgeforth, eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery.

S.P. Jones and Son Funeral Home served the family.