Mr. Rickie Denard Counts, 49, passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center. Rickie, known to some as “Slick” or “Rickie Dee” was born on February 4, 1972, in Winston-Salem, NC to Della Counts and the late Dewallo Counts. Rickie attended Glenn High School and from there, he went to pursue his degree at Guilford Technical Community College as a culinary executive chef. He was affiliated with working at The Chop House and Pepsi, where he was well known as the mastered grill chef. Rickie and Latisha Counts were the owners and founders of Quality Counts Catering Company. He enjoyed cooking, serving his community as well as the triad, and spending time with his family. Rickie also enjoyed sharing Dependable Lawn Service with his Uncle Roger, whom he looked up to as his dad.
On January 4, 2014, Rickie united in matrimony to the former Latisha Gyant, aka his “Mama Bear” whom he loved so much and cherished as a queen. They brought to this union five children: LeYana Gregg (Yan Yan), Teriana Edwards (Shay aka Tugaboo), Rickei Counts, Jordyn Lilley, and their princess whom he adored and lived through, Jayla Counts, and the rotten fur baby Paris Counts.
Rickie was full of joy and laughter. He always had a smile on his face and loved to crack jokes, even when he was in pain. He was a wonderful man who touched many lives. He will also leave behind his favorite phrase, “I’m sick of this mess!”
The remembrance of shared moments brings comfort and peace to surviving relatives: his beloved wife, Latisha G. Counts; children, LeYana Gregg, Teriana Edwards, and Rickei Counts of Winston-Salem, NC, Jordyn Lilley of San Francisco, CA, and Jayla Counts of High Point, NC; six grandchildren, Lyriq King, Nehemiah Gilliam, Lai’Miah Gilliam, Je’Viyan Gilliam, Miyannah Gilliam, and LaMont Joe, all of Winston-Salem, NC; his mother, Della Counts of Winston-Salem, NC; a brother, Vernon VJ Hall of Detroit, MI; his mother-in-law whom he adored, Tonita Foxx of High Point, NC; his father-in-law, Keith McLendon of High Point, NC; mother-in-law, Daphne Vanderhall of High Point, NC; a brother-in-law, Ryan McKiver of High Point, NC; a sister-in-law, Jasmine McLendon of High Point, NC; a special aunt who was like a second mom, Shirley Hall of Detroit, MI; a special uncle, Roger Davis of Winston-Salem, NC; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and friends that meant the world to him.
Funeral service will be held Friday, October 8, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Service Chapel. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 2:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.
Gone to soon, sending my condolences and prayers to the family, may he continue to rest until the resurrection and I know the family will be looking forward to the day when God opens the tombs for our love ones giving them a second chance at life as they have paid their debt. 🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾❤️
My Condolences To Your Family. We Are Keeping You In Our Prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sending Prayers to the entire family. May God give you comfort in these trying times.
Yall been in my mind all this time..
I was thinking how God really knew what you needed and deserved in life and rewarded you with Rick..
And knew what Rick needed and deserved n gave you to him...
I swear..yalls relationship was so pure and genuine...so full of love.. so attentive with eachother... love just poured all over...
God loved Rick so much that he gave you to him..to make sure he had the bestest last years ...granted him to be loved to the fullest... but God also wanted him back...he wanted to stop the physical pain..
Im 100% sure Rick lived a happy life, inloved and loved to the fullest..
Believe when i tell you he is still happy, inlove with the life he shared with you...
I havent stopped thinking of you and jayla... just know that im there in spirit..giving you and jayla a huge tight hug 😞❤
I know tomorrow will be the hardest day ever for yall... stay strong as always... because he is watching.. ❤❤❤❤❤
This is unbelievable I remember him from Pepsi and how he never forgot your order once you became a regular. And then he opened his own catering business. I know there's going to be some great eating in heaven even more now but rest on my brother rest onn2
sorry for your loss praying for you and family this Kimberly mom he going be miss I enjoy his cooking rip Rickie
Praying for you all continually. May the God of all comfort keep you and give you His peace. -The Irvin Family
Lightning a blue candle for your Carolina Panthers. Going to miss you bro. RIH bro
Sending our sincere condolences to our cousin Tish,Jayla and Jordyn. Love all of you. We'll miss you Ricky! Love Cousin Kim, Derrick, Jakub and Luna.
Rick was a fun person to talk to when he use to bring us food and stuff we'll always joke around but this hit me hard I barely knew him but he was automatically family and I know he down looking on miss tish and his babygirl sleep in peace rickie from Diamond
Rick was a great person , who loved his family and showed. Praying for his wife , his family and his baby girl Bosslady . Love DeLisa
You will be truly missed to your wife and family you will see him again you love him but God loved him best
My sincere condolences to the Counts family. I officially met Rickie by ordering dinner through Quality Counts Catering. I asked so many questions about the food & who's the cook! Rickie was so nice, gracious & patient with me. Then I realized I knew his family! A true gentleman and always smiling when I'd see him. You all are truly in my prayers. Faye Parker & family
My sincere condolences to the Counts family. I officially met Rickie by ordering dinner through Quality Counts Catering. I asked so many questions about the food & who's the cook! Rickie was so nice, gracious & patient with me. Then I realized I knew his family! A true gentleman and always smiling when I'd see him. You all are truly in my prayers.
My condolences to his wife, daughter and family. I met Rickie at Pepsi and he was the grill master. He fixed my breakfast and lunch for many years. Praying for the family..Leslie
Prayers of Comfort and Peace to the Counts and extended family!
Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers Latisha and Jayla and to the entire family. May the warmth of Christ's love surround you and provide you with comfort and peace during this difficult time. May His peace be with you until you meet again🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽Portia and Ron Ellerbe
I will truly miss the life and laughter of you Ricky. Even as kids you had the talent of making many people smile and laugh. My condolences and prayers for the Counts family. ❤️
Definitely going to miss you delivering me and my boys food. Rest in peace Ricky!
So sorry for your loss I will keep you and your family in my prayers. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends.
-Glasgow and Golden Family
Tisha ,Family and friends sending Condolences and a special prayer. May the Lord continue to bless this family in this very difficult time. Sincerely, Cynthia Walden
My condolences to his wife, daughter and family. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Kimberly Legrande
I will certainly miss my son in law. He was certainly a one of a kind--caring, loving husband, father and "my son". Praying for continued strength to my daughter, Latisha and Jayla. Love yall-- Momz
The message before this one is from Cousins Baylay & Retta
Heart broken. My deepest condolences to his loving and supportive wife Tisha, lil Miss Ava, his other children. Cuz WE LOVE YOU and you will be missed. You were a STRONG FIGHTER & YOU FOUGHT doing what you LOVED (COOKING) and serving others. Now your COOKING IN HEAVEN.
This is unbelievable. I met Mr. Rickie when I taught his daughter Jayla in PreK. He was such a kind man and cared about Jayla's work. He will be missed. Often kept in touch with the family after I left Union Hill. Latisha and Jayla and the family was his world. Praying for the family 🙏🙏💔💔 Krystal Graves
This is unbelievable. I met Mr. Rickie when I taught his daughter Jayla in PreK. He was such a kind man and cared about Jayla's work. He will be missed. Often kept in touch with the family after I left Union Hill. Latisha and Jayla and the family was his world. Praying for the family 🙏🙏💔💔
My sincere condolences 🌹 go out to the family of Mr Rickie Counts; aka, Lil Rick! He was a warrior and fought a good fight! Praying 🙏 for strength 💪 for the family during this difficult time! Rest easy cuz!RIP!🙏❤️🌹EC8Q94
My condolences to his wife, daughter, family and friends . . . .
Condolences to his wife, daughter, Family and Friends. May the good lord keep you close to his heart and may rest in peace. As we like to say.... Gone But Not Forgotten
My sincere condolences to the family. I'm sorry for your loss.
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