Adell Carlton

Adell Ricks Carlton, 97, passed away on July 15th, 2024, in Princeton, NJ. The eldest daughter of six, she was born on February 23, 1927, in Courtland, VA to Linwood Ricks and Maggie Ricks (no relation). Adell made an impact in multiple cities throughout her life including her final resting place of Indianapolis, IN. Adell graduated from Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA and later earned a Masters Degree at Indiana University. While at Virginia Union, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

As a principal and public schoolteacher of forty-five years, she dedicated her career to working with students in special education, and will be remembered for her patience, determination, and capacity for caring. She was an enthusiastic and devoted member of the North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN, for more than 30 years, where she made an impact as an active volunteer, Steven Minister, and a Sunday School teacher. She was beloved by her community and had an active social life- belonging to a bridge club; and even founding her own social club Adam’s and Eves with her late husband. A talented seamstress and tailor, she was known for her kindness and sense of humor and was a reliable and faithful friend. Her most cherished role was with her family as an incredible wife, mother and grandmother.

Adell is preceded in death by her parents, listed above; by siblings William S. Ricks, Linwood Ricks, Jr., Bobby Lee Ricks, and Lois Ricks Murphy; and by her husband Emmitt H. Carlton, Sr.

Celebrating her memory are her sister, Mittie Corine Ricks Waddell; her beloved son, daughter and granddaughter, Emmitt H. Carlton Jr., Adelle M. Carlton and Khadija Nia Adell; alongside cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, in-laws and extended family.