Rickman

Rev. Barney E. Rickman lately of Smyrna (1925-2014) passed away on Aug. 1. He was a devoted husband of 66 years to his late wife, Arlene Young Rickman and a loving father to his three children. He is survived by a sister, Yvonne Loo of Cleveland; a son, Gary Rickman (Joyce) of Franklin; daughters, Julie Spears (Roger) of Chattanooga, and Brenda Vantrease of Nashville; grandchildren, Angie Crossan of Panama City Beach, Fla; Jeffrey Rickman of Memphis, Preston and Emily Spears of Chattanooga, and Noelle Owen of Atlanta. He was Papa Barney to three great grandchildren: Addison and Ethan Crossan and Henry Wayne Owen, in whom he delighted.

Barney Rickman always had a servant’s heart as evidenced by his years of military service in the Pacific during World War II. As a Southern Baptist minister, he served as pastor for 38 years in churches throughout Arkansas and Tennessee. Most of his ministry was in Tennessee, where he served Parks City Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Round Lick Baptist Church, Watertown, Lakeview Baptist Church, Old Hickory and Calvary Baptist Church, Smithville. His last pastorate was at Stones River Baptist Church in Smyrna, where he was an active member at the time of his death. He was a leader in each Baptist Association to which his church belonged. During his years of service in Tennessee he served on various committees of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Upon retirement from the pastorate, for fifteen years he had the privilege to serve various area churches as interim pastor. His commitment to his calling to preach the gospel for Christ was unwavering; his love and loyalty to his family unquestioned. In his last days he often spoke of the unparalleled grace of a loving God, offering his own life experience as example.

Barney Rickman will be sorely missed by his friends and his family for his strength of character, his determination and perseverance, his wit and honesty, and the best turnip green patch and July tomatoes in Rutherford County.

Funeral service were held Aug. 4 at Stones River Baptist Church in Smyrna, with Pastor Oscar White and Pastor Murray Mathis. Burial followed at Peeled Chestnut Cemetery in White County with Military Honors. Pallbearers were Jeff Rickman, Ethan Crossan, Eric Crossan, Preston Spears, Emily Spears and Roger Spears.

Murfreesboro Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.