Ronald Cornelius Washington, lovingly known as Ricky, was born on August 18, 1953, in Drew, Mississippi. He was the second of six children to the late Daniel and Doris Titus. Ricky accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of the late Rev. WM Fields Jr., where he discovered his love of playing the drums. He had a true passion for playing, and if anyone ever witnessed him on the drums, they understood his deep love for it. Ricky had two homes—Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri. He was a product of Memphis and attended the Shelby County School System. Ricky enjoyed cooking, fishing, and baseball, and he had a strong love for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He also enjoyed family gatherings and keeping everyone laughing. He loved his family, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for anyone. Ricky truly had a heart of gold.