RICKEY MICKENS
Pastor Rickey Mickens, 63, son of Fannie Mickens and the late Simon Mickens, was called to eternal rest on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter.
Pastor Rickey Mickens was born on Aug. 11, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York. At a young age, he and his family moved to Rembert. Rickey attended the public schools of Sumter County. Rickey was ordained as a deacon in 1992 at Mt. Sinai Holiness Temple, where he served faithfully before being ordained as a minister in 1993 under the leadership of Bishop Michael Pressley. After some time, Minister Mickens became a member of Bible Way Church of Sumter under the leadership of Bishop John D. Belton. Being led by God, Minister Mickens returned to Mt. Sinai Holiness Temple, where he became interim pastor. Through his many leaders, transitions and responsibilities, Minister Mickens was being led and prepared to carry out his vision of pastoring his own ministry. Being guided by God, he founded New Beginning Outreach Ministry on Oct. 9, 2011, in the cafeteria of Hillcrest Middle School. With a handful of members and a mountain of faith, his vision became a reality. On Nov. 27, 2011, Minister Rickey Mickens was ordained elder. The cafeteria served as the New Beginning Outreach Ministry sanctuary for more than three years, until the church was blessed to purchase land and build its own sanctuary. Under God's instruction "Declare My Word and Watch Me Work," Pastor Mickens served God faithfully over New Beginning Outreach Ministry, until his passing.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Delores Mickens of Rembert; two sons, Rickey (Lakikki) Mickens and Randall (Stephanie) Mickens, both of Bishopville; three daughters, Angieleka (Timothy) Pendergrass of Dalzell, Kimberley (Christopher) Reed of Rembert and Kristina (Cory, deceased) Bradley of Sumter; mother, Fannie Mickens of Rembert; three brothers, William (Stephanie) Gholson and Barry (Tawana) Gholson, both of Sumter, and Larry (Lacey) Gholson of Washington, D.C.; one uncle, Garfield Mickens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.
In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting no visitation.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at New Beginning Outreach Ministry, 4660 Thomas Sumter Highway, Dalzell, with Minister Rickey T. Mickens officiating, eulogist.
The procession will leave the home at 10:20 a.m.
Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.