Elizabeth Ann Craig Fricks, age 79, of Saratoga, Ark., passed away on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Shreveport. She was born on July 3, 1946, in Little Rock to the late Alfred H. and Helen Craig. A birth date fitting for a firecracker and a patriot.
Mrs. Fricks was an educator for 28 years. She proudly served Mineral Springs and Nashville School Districts. Her firm but compassionate teaching style touched the hearts of many students. Her goal was to lead her students towards successful and content lives. In this endeavor, she gained many life-long friends. Mrs. Fricks was inducted into the Teachers Who’s Who in 1992 and was also a member of the Arkansas Retired Teacher Association. Not only was she an educator, but she was also a cheerleader and coach to many. There wasn’t a game she wasn’t supporting David, her husband coaching basketball. She valued and pushed her children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren to be the best at anything they attempted. She maintained this with being found at Playdays, Preschool Graduations, 5K Races, and sporting events. There wasn’t a friend or person she came across that didn’t know of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s successes.
Without a doubt, her husband was her best friend, and he was the love of her life. Many of her hobbies were shared with her husband, especially the frustration of watching the Razorbacks. Her love for animals was evident from helping with animal shelters and spoiling her special needs dog, Bobby Socks. Her dogs and horses never wanted for anything. The vets were on speed dial. On any given day, she could be found on the back of a horse. She was a natural. Majority of her workout exercises were to help her to continue doing what she loved, riding horses. Her mantra for life stemmed from her desire for riding — “When you get bucked off, you get right back on.” When you did get bucked off, you were a true cowgirl. Ann Fricks has always been a true cowgirl.
She was a devout member of Southside Church of Christ in Saratoga. It was evident that she took her role as a Christian very seriously. She could be seen on a pew close to the front beside her husband. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, and she constantly studied her bible. She made it her mission to share how great our God is! Her Christian influence strongly impacted all members of her family.
Those left to cherish her precious memory and legacy include her loving husband of 60 years, David Fricks; two children, Kimberly Ann Erwin and husband Tim of Paraloma; David Keith Fricks and wife Sharla of Saratoga; four grandchildren, Sydney Howard and husband Wes, Zack Erwin and wife Rachelle, Trent Fricks and wife Chandler, Jada Darden and husband Dylan; four great-grandchildren, Anson and Bridger Howard, Lydia Erwin, and Kamley Fricks; one brother, Robert Craig and Joann of Little Rock; and a host of many special friends.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at the Southside church of Christ building in Saratoga with Robert Womack and Garry Stanton officiating. Interment will follow in Saratoga Cemetery, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home of Nashville.
You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com
