Ila Carethers Rickards

I married Sonny in 1968 (on February 3rd as my birthday is the 4th and his is the 5th) Thought that would help him remember the anniversary date husbands are known to forget! We were attending Wichita State University when Sonny was drafted in 1969. He decided to stay in the Army, and stayed in the army for 31 years. We were able to see and be in many countries, living in Germany several times and in Italy. He became an officer in 1976, then three years later The Army's Food Advisor. After retirement at age 50 we moved to Louisville, Kentucky. He finished Southern Baptist Seminary and has not been able to find a job in the Director of Missions field for the past 2 years where he originally planned due to the economy break down. He is now on his way back to school to do another degree in the Master of Divinity. This will allow him to work in the area he is seeking as a chaplain.
I was a trained Bank Accountant at Frost Natl Bank in San Antonio, Texas. After working in several other banks and the Civil Service during our military locations, I then retired permanently after the birth of our Son and my health conditions. It was at this point I became a full-time housewife. A mother of only one he was the last hope for another generation to the family name....well we now have the next. He is a blue eyed red head (like his grandpa, Sonny) and our son is shining with the pride of what he has been able to produce. This is quite special as it seems only every other generation even has a red head, so guess this was right!
As of December 2007 we added a new little fellow to our family. He came from under the Christmas tree and in the pictures you will see what he looks like after 18 months. He started at about 7 lbs. and is now 85 lbs. and will be 3 years old come November. He had to have major surgery to remove a sock he ate last year, but is doing well now. Socks are not a desired food of his any longer. You should also see here a picture of our grandson coming through his igloo the past winter of 2008, he had began to walk well and had a great winter in Vermont.
Since 2007 I have been working with my church to do Operation Christmas Child. This is a major part of Samaritan's Purse Ministry, headed by Franklin Graham. It a simple little gift of a shoe box being filled then sent overseas to children in countries that have nothing and have never received a Christmas gift of any kind. It is a blessing to do and see the results are over whelming. You can see some of what I am talking about in my pictures. Hope you are also involved in this project, if not will do so in the near future.

After several years of Forensics, debate & extemporaneous speech, I went to the state competition in Chicago, Illinois. There I was invited to a private breakfast with Mr J. C. Penny. The group of people that worked for J.C.Penny's company were able to meet and talk to him personally, and enjoyed a breakfast meal together with him. Along with many other exciting experiences at Derby High School this seems to stand out as one of my favorites.