Richard Allison "Rick" Ezell

(March 27, 1950 – December 2, 2023)

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Billy M. King – Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins for Richard Allison "Rick" Ezell, 73, of Mount Olive, who went to his Heavenly Home on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Reverend Glenn Shoemake will officiate the service with interment to follow in the Cooley Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Mount Olive. Billy M. King – Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Billy M. King – Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 3202 Hwy 49, Collins, Mississippi.

Pallbearers will be Michael Nichols, Tony Henderson, Deter Henderson, Donald Clyborn, Ray Edwards, and Cody Martin. Honorary pallbearers will be Jesse Mapp and James Ezell, Jr.      ­

Richard "Rick" Ezell was born in Soso, Mississippi, on March 27, 1950. He was married to the love of his life Jessica "Kay" Ezell for over 53 wonderful years. Rick did not know a stranger and spoke to everyone as if they were a friend. His long career in fire safety afforded him the opportunity to meet many hundreds of people. His faith in Jesus Christ was the driving force behind all he did, and he happily spoke to the hundreds he met about Jesus. More than anything, he wanted to share the good news of the scripture. He did not want one single person to be ignorant of God's wondrous love, the miracle of the resurrection, and the gift of salvation. He was a much beloved husband, father, "Papaw", "Uncle Ricky", and friend, and he and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his son, James Ezell, Sr.; father, Billy Ray Ezell; mother, Rhoda Geraldine Ishee Ezell; sister, Rhonda Kay Ezell Edwards; granddaughter, Emily Ezell.

Survivors include his wife, Jessica "Kay" Nichols Ezell of Mount Olive; daughter, Amanda Ezell-Mapp of Ellisville; brother, Byron Ezell of DeKalb; sisters, Rachel Ezell Henderson of Pascagoula and Rose Marie Ezell of Gautier; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com.