Cecil Alexander Ritchie

CONCORD - Cecil Alexander Ritchie formerly of 52 Larkview Drive, Concord, passed through the valley of death on Nov. 4, 2010, surrounded by his family at Transitional Health Services of Kannapolis. Mr. Ritchie was born Nov. 28, 1926. He was the son of Jessie D. Ritchie and Maggie Ketner Ritchie. Mr. Ritchie was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and attended Burton Institute of Higher Learning. He was a World War II veteran where he worked as a file clerk in the POW Camp in Italy. After the War, he worked at Kerr Bleachery, dying cloth, for 18 years. He retired from Cabarrus County School System after 19 years of service as custodian at Royal Oaks Elementary School. Mr. Ritchie was a former Boy Scout Leader and loved to fish. He also enjoyed basketball, baseball and football. Member of Bethlehem Baptist Church where he was a member of the Choir, former Sunday School Teacher of the senior men's Brotherhood and Bethlehem Stars Seniors. Survivors are his wife of 37 years, Ruby Deal Ritchie of the home; son, William (Kathy) Ritchie, China Grove; daughters, Juanita R.(Gary) Clay, Donna Kay R. (Danny) Culp all of Concord. Alice R. Linn, Granite Quarry; and daughter-in-law, JoAnn R. Steen, Locust; mother of his children, Rachel Auten Ritchie, Concord; eight grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; stepsons, Kermit (Karen) Hill, II Concord, Todd (Martha) Sessoms, New London; stepdaughters, Lou Eva Hill, Teresa (TC) Hill Tutterow of the home.; Patricia Hill, Kannapolis; 12 step grands, 15 step great grands and three great great grands; brothers-in-law, Lloyd (Sue) Ritchie, Luther (Mary Lou) Ritchie and Claude Ritchie all of Mount Pleasant, Ned (Elizabeth Ritchie) Kannapolis; sister, Shelby R.( Herman) McCleaster, Richfield; sisters-in law, Libbie Ritchie, Salisbury; Betty Ritchie, Mount Pleasant, Phyllis Ritchie, Ruth Deal Snow, Concord, Louise Deal Tanton, Boise, Idaho, Patricia Deal, Milwaukee, Wisc., Madeline Deal Louisburg; numerous nieces and nephews in the area. Memorial service 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 48 Liske Avenue, Concord, NC. Rev. Edward Pigg officiating assisted by Gary Wayne Clay, II. The family will receive visitors in the Fellowship Building following the service and other times at the home. Mr. Richie's instructions were to have his body donated to Wake Forest Medical School of Medicine (Bowman Gray) for research and teaching. A private burial of cremains will be held at a later date. The family ask that no flower be sent but donations can be made to the family. Arrangements entrusted to Kannapolis Mortuary, Inc.