Married: Gayla Carter
2 Children
Johnnie Gershon Ricketts was born August 4, 1946, to Hall and Louise Ricketts. Johnnie was raised on a Grade A dairy farm on Central Pike. Johnnie graduated from Mt Juliet High School, where he played football and basketball, was an officer in the FFA and was vice president of his senior class. After graduation, Johnnie wanted to partner with his dad in dairy farming, but his dad recommended he choose another business due to smaller dairies around the area going of business. His father’s advice was to "get a good job with a retirement. "In August of 1964, Johnnie went to work at the Ford Motor Glass Plant, but he wanted to stay connected to agriculture, so he rented some pasture ground and started a beef herd. In 1966 his parents moved to the family farm on Posey Hill Rd, Mt Juliet. In 1967 Johnnie purchased twenty-five acres in the same area to begin his own farm. In 1970, he married Gayla Carter, and they have two daughters. Both daughters and their families also have homes on the family farm. Johnnie worked two full-time jobs for 37 years. He worked at Ford Motor Glass Plant and farmed until he retired in 2001. During this time, he managed four hundred plus acres which included his land and land he leased. He raised beef cattle and produced hay. Due to health problems, he now has forty-five head of beef cattle and produces hay on 143 acres.
Johnnie has served his community in many capacities. He has served on the board of directors for the Wilson County Co-op and the Wilson County Livestock Association. He has served on the Wilson Bank and Trust Community Council, Gladeville. He served as a member of the University of TN Extension Agricultural Committee. He has also served on the Wilson County Board of Zoning and Appeals and the Wilson County Planning Commission. He was selected to by the TN Farmers CO-OP to participate in the "Big Picture Leadership Advance Tour" and by the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Board to participate in the MTEMC Young Leaders Conference. After retiring from Ford Motor Glass Plant, Johnnie also worked at the Wilson County Livestock Market with Alvin McKee. He loved greeting the many farmers on sale day. He referred to himself as the "Wilson County Sale Barn Greeter. Johnnie has been a member of Gladeville Baptist Church his entire life. He has taught Sunday School, served on many committees, and now has the honor of being a Lifetime Deacon. He believes in Faith, Family and Farming.
