Eric Andre Evans was born July 25, 1952, to the union of William A. Johnson Sr. and Rosey Evans in Greenville, MS. Known to all as Ricky, he was the eldest of 4 children. The family later relocated to Chicago, IL and Ricky grew up on The Westside of Chicago. Ricky made his Heavenly transition on September 30, 2022, surrounding by his loving family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosey Evans; soulmate, Belinda Smith; aunt, Yvonne Schaefer; brother, Curtis “Fella” Evans; uncle, Walter Evans, and brother-in-law, Frankie House.
Ricky accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized at an early age. He was a faithful church member until his health recently declined. Ricky attended Chicago Public Schools and attended Harrison High School.
Ricky met his Soulmate Belinda Smith at 19 years of age and with that union they were Blessed with four children, Ericka, Baisha, Dameion, and Belincia (Mi-Mi). Belinda was the apple of his eye and they had been together for 28 years before she passed away in 1999. Ricky loved his children with everything in him and he adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his other family. He never met a stranger and made friends with anyone he met; he also wrote poetry at the drop of a hat. Growing up he would dance and do one of the best James Brown impressions and competed in many competitions as a kid performing James Brown.
Ricky leaves to cherish his memory: his father, William A. Johnson Sr. (Velma); his only son, Dameion Smith Sr. (Tashia); loving daughters, Ericka Cooper (Rick), Baisha Smith-Abernathy (Kadocaus), Belincia; thirteen devoted grandchildren, Corey Smith Jr. (Tasheema), Di’Amonta Smith (Nauticah), Di’Amari Smith-Abernathy, Corrick Smith, Raheem Cooper, Dayoveon Smith (Macy), A’Shaylin Smith, Deja Abernathy, Chamarrion Williams, Dameion Smith Jr., Damiyah Williams, Dakari Smith, and Brooklyn Smith; nine great grandchildren, London Smith, Corey Smith III, Teontae Smith, Princess Smith, Dakota Bickley, Noah Smith, Dream Jones; loving sisters, Dana (Lynn) Evans-House and Jennifer Evans; step-brothers, Aldo Johnson, William Johnson Jr. ; step- sisters, Ronie Robinson, Shinita Miller, Jamelle Johnson, Regina Harris, and Kim Pepper; uncle, Tommie Lawrence; aunts, Barbara Springfield (Bishop James Springfield Jr.) and Mildred Lindsey; special niece and Birthday Twin, Lashante (Peaches) Evans; childhood friends that later became family, Arnold (Tim) Dunem , Karlene Dunem, and Delresa McIntyre. Ricky left a lasting impact on everyone he met and will also be missed dearly by his nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.