Ava Lee Bland Lick, a longtime resident of the Vicksburg area, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017.

She was born Feb. 14, 1926, in Sunflower County, MS.

Ava married Terrell James Lick Sr., and they built a beautiful family together. They were married 52 years before he passed away in 1996.

Ava is survived by her five sons, James Lick Jr. (Theresa) of Atlanta, Ga.; Gary Lick of Vicksburg; Ralph Lick (Kim) of Vicksburg; Paul Lick of Madison; Ronnie Lick, of Vicksburg; and her two daughters, Jane Muirhead (Dick) of Coldwater; and Regina Lindsey of Sevierville, Tenn.; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family, including her beloved nieces, Carolyn Bland Miller (Lewis Jr.) of Vicksburg; Teresa Bland Sullivan (Donnie) of Batesville; Pamela Bland Harris of Mobile, Ala.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James 0. Bland Sr., and Janie Yates Bland; brother, James 0. Bland Jr.; two daughters-in-law, Nina Lick and Pamela Lick; nephews, Allen “Bubba” Bland and Denny Bland; great niece, Stacey Miller Fewell, and husbands, Terrell James Lick  and Duncan Boykin.

Ava could always be found crafting, cooking and sewing. Tradition, nurturing and family ties ran deep in her soul.

She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and shared her faith with her family and friends. Her bible was always within reach and even at 91, she was always discovering new truths from His Word.

She will be greatly missed, but we will see her again in Heaven.

A graveside service will be held at Green Lawn Garden Cemetery at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, followed by a Memorial Service and Reception at noon at Wayside Baptist Church, 6151 Jeff Davis Road, Vicksburg.