Belva Parsons Ricks

Belva Parsons Ricks, 70, of Westminster passed away on April 25, 2020, at Tru Community Care Center in Longmont. Born on May 4, 1949, in Richfield, Utah she was the third daughter and fifth child of Duane V. and Maritta B. (Anderson) Parsons. Belva married David G. Ricks on September 15, 1967, and together they shared 52 years of marriage.

Belva enjoyed making things beautiful. She began her own wedding decorating business in the early 1980s and she continued to consult on weddings and other social events until February 2020. Belva also added her talents for cake decorating to her wedding business and made many sweet memories for the brides and grooms she worked with.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since1957. Belva had many responsibilities in the church and loved serving the Lord. Her favorite places to be were with her family and in the temple.

She will be remembered for her great laugh and the way it cheered others just to hear it.

Her daughter Gwen recalls doing puzzles with Mom late into the night so they could talk about everything that was going on in their lives. She always seemed to find the time no matter how busy she was with everyone and everything else.

Her daughter Wendy recalls all the late-night chats and car rides that allowed the very precious one on one time. Mom was also able to make miracles happen with her sewing machine. When I needed a prom dress, she designed one from a Little Golden Book of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Mom, you are a miracle-worker!

Her daughter Betsy remembers how much fun it was to make ""scones"" (fried bread) with Mom and how that rare one on one time helped her feel loved and special.

Her son Mikel recalls: I remember when I was a Senior in high school, I played soccer. It was parent appreciation night. Before the game, they had all the moms lined up on the side of the field. We handed flowers to our moms one at a time. Obviously, mom couldn't be on the sidelines. When they called my name, I took the flower and ran up the bleachers to her. I got a standing ovation. But it wasn't for me! Love you Mom!

Her son Phillip recalls: ""Mom was a great conversationalist. She was a great listener and had a heart so full of love it couldn't help but spillover. She asked interesting and engaging questions, and in what time we had together we were able to express our unconditional love for one another and I'm so thankful I had that opportunity.""

In addition to her husband, David, she is survived by her seven children: Gwen (Demetri) Jones, Steven (Patricia) Ricks, Wendy (Randolph) Smith, Betsy Belmont, Mikel (April) Ricks, Paul (Shanna) Ricks, and Phillip (Katie Beisendorfer) Ricks; her twenty-one grandchildren: David Wemhoner, Katherine (Justin) Clark, Tasha (Sterling) Prisbrey, Darius (Kassidy) Jones, Johnathan (Kayleigh) Velez, Adrien Jones, Devon Jones, Ahsley (Donovan) Lavery, Zachery (Jaylee) Ricks, Kimberlyn (Vanessa) Ricks, Bennett Ricks, Tristan Ricks, Nathan Ricks, Ryan Ricks, Sarra Smith, Izak Ricks, Izabelle Ricks, Alexis Ricks, Skyla Ricks, Brooklyn Ricks, Parker Ricks; her soon to be nine great-grandchildren: Emmaline Prisbrey, Rosanna Prisbrey, (Baby expected in December) Prisbrey, Jurnee Jones, Azarah Jones, Charlie Marie Velez, Joshua Velez, Charlotte Lavery, and Amylia Ricks. She is also survived by her younger brother Jaim Parsons and his wife Valerie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Atho ""Brad"" Parsons and Elton Parsons; her sisters Vernetta Parsons Fuller and Cynthia Parsons, and her son-in-law Alexander Belmont.

A service to honor Belva's life will be held at a later date.