Dove, Ricki Soaring
SOARING DOVE, Rev. Ricki
Reverend Ricki Soaring Dove, 94, flew peacefully away August 10, 2023, in Decatur, GA. Survived by two daughters, Betsy Abrams of Atlanta, GA, and Nancy Feldman of Essex Junction, VT; son, Walter Brownsword III, of Richmond, VT; six granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter. Preceded in death by son, Roger Abrams of Patterson, NY; two former husbands, Bob Abrams of Elmsford, NY, and Walter Brownsword Jr., in Indonesia. Born in Staten Island, NY, February 15, 1929. Ricki earned a B.S. in Phys. Ed. from SUNY Empire State and, in 1983, received a Master's degree in Holistic Education from Beacon College. Ricki's career sent her across various stages. In the 1940s, she entertained troops in NYC with the USO. In the '50s she danced on Broadway for "The King and I" and "Pal Joey". After that, Ricki was on TV as a dancer and comic. She even had the honor of being Martha Raye's understudy, and had the role of East coast double for the iconic Marilyn Monroe. By the '60s, she coached swimming and diving, and taught water safety. In the '70s, she became a certified ski instructor and supervisor at Big Birch, NY, for 15 years. In 1992, Ricki became an ordained minister with the Universal Brotherhood. She had a healing touch, working as a therapist, counselor, and a massage therapist at Vinalhaven Medical Center, ME. She volunteered as an "elf" at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL, bringing joy to cancer-stricken kids. Her proudest role was as a greeter at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, at MLK Jr., National Historical Park, as she was born exactly a month after MLK. She kayaked until 90, and loved hiking and reading. A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 8, from 7-9 PM, at the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, GA. The body was donated to Emory University School of Medicine.
