Obituaries
Dorothy Dell Davis Ritchie (12-03-2006)
Visitation for Dorothy Dell Davis Ritchie will be held on Dec. 3 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Rusotn from 5:30-7 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday at Greenwood Cemetery with the Rev. Fred Wideman of Trinity United Methodist Church officiating.This long time resident of Ruston came from the pioneering lumbering Davis family of Ansley, La. Dorothy was born Oct. 6, 1908, to the proud parents of Virgil and Antoinette Davis, and she was welcomed home by her three older sisters. Dorothy, known as Dot to family and friends, attended Randolph-Macon Women's College where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. Upon returning to Ruston, where her family now resided, she married the prominent businessman John C. Ritchie. This young couple became involved in community and civic organizations where they gave unselfishly of their time, leadership, and love of Ruston for many decades. Family was always a guiding force in all of their accomplishments, never forgetting that talents and gifts are to be shared with all that one encounters.
As charter member of the Magnolia Garden Club, Lincoln General Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, founding member of the Woman's Department Club, a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Ruth Circle for over 50 years, Dorothy Ritchie gave graciously of her time and her talents. Interested in the education as well as the social activities of young college women, Dorothy and her sisters founded the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Sorority at Louisiana Tech University.
Dorothy Ritchie was the epitome of the genteel southern lady. She was a gracious and welcoming hostess who enjoyed sharing her love of life with all those with whom she met. She was most proud of her husband, Jack, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dot's smile, wit, compliments and words of encouragement were precious gifts that live on; she will be greatly missed.
Dorothy Ritchie was preceded in death by her husband John C. "Jack" Ritchie, son John Ansley Ritchie, granddaughter Susan Saint Shirley, parents Virgil and Antoinette Davis, sisters Virginia Davis Laskey, Alverne Davis Hunt and Helen Davis Barksdale.
She is survived by her daughter Susan R. Shirley and husband Henry; grandson John C. Shirley and wife Monica; granddaughter Dorothy S. Welsh and husband Sean; great-grandchildren, Ashton and Victoria Shirley, all of Ruston. Dorothy Ritchie is also survived by a host of other family and dear friends.
The family would especially like to extend special thanks for her faithfulness and loyalty to Oberlean Mayfield, to her sitters Rhodessa Sewall, Zandra Livingston, Essie Howard, Linda Roane and to Dr. Allen Herbert.
Memorials may be made to Louisiana Methodist Children's Home or to Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
