Richard "Ricky" McCravey Clarke

After a brief illness, Richard McCravey Clarke departed this life on the morning of January 19, 2026, in Palatka, Florida. Ricky was a blessing to his family and to the many friends he made over a lifetime spent in middle Mississippi, south Alabama, and north Florida. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. It was a privilege to stand near him and hear him recite the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed or sing out “Blessed Assurance” with gusto.

In fact, Ricky did everything with gusto. He loved his own name and associated himself with all Rickys—Ricky Ricardo, Ricky Nelson, Ricky Martin, Ricky Scaggs, Ricky Clarke… of course. He loved to see his name in print… in the newspaper, in the school annual, on his clothing—hats, shirts, shorts, ties, jackets, on prayer lists, and birthday lists, and on church member or visitor name tags.

He loved music. He loved to dance. He was particularly skilled playing air drums, or air guitar or joining the symphony on air violin. He could be endearingly silly, and he could bring out the silliness in others. He enjoyed all foods except vegetables, and was especially excited to hear that something was going to be cooked out –“on the grill?” “Yes, on the grill.” Grin.

Ricky rode backseat, passenger side. Only his Uncle Dan—in a convertible Corvette—and his friend Jimmy P.—in a pickup truck—ever persuaded him to ride shotgun. Ricky had very nice manners. He never failed to say “Thanks,” for any small kindness—even for things that weren’t particularly pleasant—like blood draws or shots.

Ricky’s cat Tia, and before her, his dog Sadie, he called, “my best friend.”

In fact, if you knew Ricky and loved him, you belonged to him, and he would refer to you by your name and your role or relationship to him. My Mom. My Dad. My Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Teacher, Preacher, Friend. My Sister Kitty. My Brother Joe. When Joe married and gave Ricky My Sister-in-law Penny, her parents and brother became Ricky’s too -- his Mom-in-law Zoe, Pop-in-law Emile, and Brother-in-law, Emile. Since then, two new generations have come to love, be loved by, and belong to Uncle Ricky. The generations gone before, he collectively and affectionately dubbed “Ricky’s Ancestors.”

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Ransom Clarke, Jr., his mother, Mildred Myers McCravey Clarke, and a great nephew, Baby Joseph. He is survived by his sister, Mary Katherine Clarke, his brother, Joseph Ransom Clarke, III, and his sister-in-law, Penny Petro Clarke. He is also survived by five nephews, a niece, three nieces-in-law, one nephew-in-law, and nine, soon to be ten, great nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held to honor "Ricky's" life on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Daphne. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00pm, with a celebration of life service immediately following.