Charles Gilmer Rickey, age 77, of Wytheville, VA, the Piney community, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2026. He was born April 17, 1948 in Wythe County, son of the late Russell and Ethel Cox Rickey. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence Rickey and a sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Paul Howery. Charles was a Vietnam veteran of the United States Army.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Arnold Rickey; a daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Marty Mabry of Piney; two grandsons, Cory A. Mabry and Charles B. Mabry and wife Paige; two great-granddaughters, Emma Rose Mabry and Elizabeth Harper Mabry (on the way); three sisters, Donna Nance of Wytheville, Mary and Leo Workman of Dublin, VA and Judy Alvord of Charlotte, NC. Several nieces, nephews and many extended family and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 12:00 noon at the Barnett Funeral Chapel with the Reverend Bobby Lewis officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. until service time.

Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Community Church Cemetery. American Legion Post #9 will conduct graveside military rites.

Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, VA is serving the Rickey family.