Richard Wayne Watkins (Ricky to most) has spent the better part of 2023 battling advanced liver disease. Rick peacefully slipped away from his earthly bonds on 9.1.23 at 2:54 p.m.
Subscribe to follow campaign updates!
In the early hours of March 7, 2023, Rick awoke suffering from a serious bleed. After several hours of his condition growing worse, he called 911 to ask for help. He was taken to a local hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from late-stage liver disease and told that he was dying.
In the following days, Rick's condition grew worse, and he was transferred to Alive Hospice in Nashville to pass peacefully from this world into the next. During this time, Rick was the recipient of an immense outpouring of love and prayer. He was constantly surrounded by friends and family - all willing him to live.
Thru a true miracle, Rick left hospice alive and recovering just two short weeks later. April and May were filled with struggles, laughter and some tears as Rick regained his strength. After 3 months of fear, pain, and healing - Rick returned to living on his own and being the independent man that we all knew and loved.
Thru the summer of 2023, Rick enjoyed himself - gardening, maintaining his home, working full time and outings with friends including a Beyonce concert. Rick understood the gift he had been given and was determined to take full advantage of it.
Unfortunately, in August of 2023, Rick suffered a health set back as his sodium levels became dangerously unbalanced. It seemed that each day his condition worsened until he once again had to call 911 because he was bleeding.
The first few days of this new hospital admission went well and Rick's sodium level was stabilizing and he was feeling better and looking forward to going home again soon. Tragically on the morning of August 27, Rick suffered a neurological issue that made him unresponsive and allowed his fragile body to begin to shut down. Sadly, later that same week, it was determined there were no treatment options remaining and once again Rick was transferred back to Alive Hospice in Nashville.
Once at Alive, the staff took excellent care of him, and his legion of loved ones prayed for comfort and peace. This time, we felt the difference and expected a different outcome. On Friday September 1 at 2:54 p.m. Rick took his last earthly breath and went to meet loved ones and his God with renewed strength and enthusiasm.
Rick is loved and missed terribly. Although we are glad he is no longer suffering or afraid, we are lonely and grieving deeply.
This fundraising effort is to honor Rick's final wishes. He wanted a visitation for family and friends in both Nashville Tn and Murray Ky and to be buried next to his mom in Paris Tn. He wanted to settle all of his medical debt, pay for his funeral, pay daily outstanding financial obligations and leave his loved ones with the memory of an upright and independent man who took care of himself and those around him.
He was aware that in order to do all that he wished, it might be necessary to allow his friends to lend a hand. These funds will be used to make those final wishes and desires a reality. While alive, Rick never failed to help out a friend and to make us feel so very special. It is now our final opportunity show him just how special he was to us.
Sign in with your Facebook account or email.