GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Estelle Bess Ricketts, 98, of Greensboro, formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at her home in North Carolina.

She was born June 26, 1918, in Portageville, Missouri, to the late William and Ollie Sitze Bess. Estelle and William A. Ricketts were married Nov. 25, 1938, in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death.

She attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, and Southeast Missouri State Teachers College. Estelle was a preschool and primary-school teacher for much of her life, also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and Order of the Eastern Star. She was a longtime member of United Methodist Church.

Survivors include sons, Bill (Camille) Ricketts of Springfield, Missouri, Bob (Donna) Ricketts of Ballston Lake, New York, and Tom (Charlotte) Ricketts of Cary, North Carolina; daughters, Jeanne (Ed) Ayer of Greensboro and Mary (Curt) Zargan of Mascoutah, Illinois; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; niece, Sue Bess Hunt of Cape Girardeau; nephews, Jim Bess of Oneonta, Alabama, Mike Ricketts of St. Charles, Missouri, and David Ricketts of St. Louis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William A. Ricketts; and brother, James William Bess Jr.

Visitation will be from 10 until 11 a.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jeff Long officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Christian charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.