August 27, 1956 – February 14, 2023
Ricky McClease Hewlett, Sr., “Big Rick,” was born on August 27, 1956 in Hopewell, Virginia to the late Walter and Dorothy Hewlett. He was the sixth born of seven children. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest Murdock, Lawrence Ragsdale, and Walter “Mesherl” Hewlett.
Ricky loved God and at an early age was baptized at First Baptist Church Bermuda Hundred. Throughout the years, he fellowshipped in different churches and served on the transportation and ushers ministries.
Ricky was educated in Chesterfield County Public Schools and graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 1976. He was employed and retired from Honeywell after exceeding 20 years of dedicated service. After retirement, he worked part-time at The Progress~Index.
Ricky loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, manicuring his yard, and listening to jazz music. He was an avid Harley-Davidson rider and enjoyed roundups with the Wheels United Motorcycle Club. Ricky knew all-things Harley-Davidson, even the sounds of the bikes. Whenever he heard the distinctive pipes of ‘a hog’ cruising down the road, he would yell, “I hear you!”
When he wasn’t enjoying his time outside, you could find him watching westerns or a good football game. Spending time with loved ones and friends was at the core of Ricky’s pastime, and if he didn’t see you in person, he would make a phone call “just checking in.” Known for his quick wit, sense of humor, and catchy one-liners, Ricky would often say, “you can’t jive me,” with a smile.
Ricky leaves precious and fond memories to his wife, Arleen Schools Hewlett of 41 years; sons, Ricky Hewlett, Jr. (Ashley) and Lawrence Hewlett, Sr. (Hilina Teklu); daughter, Christy Johnson; grandchildren, Isaiah, Lawrence, Jr., Ta’Lajah, Brennan, Elias, and Ryann; goddaughter, Charmaine Banks Winfield; brothers, Otis “Bobcat” Hewlett and Rev. Dr. Stephen Hewlett; sister, Dorrie Hewlett Banks; sisters-in-law, Mary Murdock, Gloria Hewlett, Janet “Renee” Hewlett, Jeannie Hewlett, Wanda Schools Jones, and Pam Thompson Patrom; brothers-in-law, David Banks (deceased), Reggie Schools (deceased), and David Jones; aunts, Erlene “Auntie” Watkins, Pearl Taylor, and Wilimena “Peaches” Schools; mother-in-law, Evelyn Schools Daniels (deceased) (Wayne – deceased); father-in-law, John Thompson (deceased) (Vivian): and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, February 23, 2023 at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Hewlett, eulogist and Rev. Michael G. Stith, officiating. The interment to follow at Bermuda Memorial Park.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.
