Frederica Kirkland "Rica" Josey, 86, died Saturday, June 7, 2014.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at the Baptist Cemetery in Scotland Neck.

The family will receive friends after the service at the family home at 1006 Church Street, Scotland Neck.

Rica was born on July 22, 1927 in Winnsboro, SC to Daisy Ferguson Kirkland and Marion Adickes Kirkland. She attended Stephens College and finished her education in merchandizing at Toby Cobin in New York City. Rica met Dan, the love of her life, in Camden, SC when he was a cadet at Army Air Core flight training. They married in 1947 and she returned with Dan to his hometown to start a family. She was a mother of four and a mom to many. Her home was a place where everyone was welcome and many a wonderful meal and good times were shared by the ones she loved.

More than 40 years ago Rica started transforming Josey Brothers from a hardware store to a gift shop, where Christmas Open House was the highlight of the year. She took pleasure in her relationship with her long time employees and the many young people that worked with her through the years.

Rica was preceded in death by her husband, Danford Edmondson "Dan" Josey, Jr

She is survived by her daughters, Marion Schutle of Scotland Neck and Frederica Shipman and husband Tom of Wake Forest; her sons, D.E. "Joe" Josey, III and William Harris Josey and wife Robin all of Scotland Neck; eight grandchildren, Kirk Josey, Wythe Josey, Alan Shipman and wife Christina, Walker Shipman, Josey Shipman, Madison Josey, Eric Josey, and Carson Josey; and two great-grandchildren, Connor Shipman and Clark Shipman.

Published in The News & Observer on June 9, 2014