Katherine Ritchie

Katherine Richie was born on January 17, 1951, to Mary Jakes and Bennie Coger Sr. She is the second child and oldest daughter. She was born in Palmetto Florida and moved with her family to Waterport, NY where she grew up and attended Albion School District. Although she did not complete high school, Kat obtained her GED. She worked various jobs.
She married Carl Lee Ellis. Together they raised 13 children; Carlee Jr., Ruby Jean, Gail, Alice Marie, Al, Mathias, Andrew, Rawn, Novel, Toshia, Glenda, Darby, and LaShawn. Kat was a strict mom, and stern in what she believed. She encouraged education, work ethics,
and self-discipline. She loved sports and promoted sportsmanship. Kat believed in family and taught us to stick together and stay together. She was a mother to many as her house was where many were welcomed, cared for, and raised. Some of our fondest memories of
her were when she would load us up into the truck and hall everyone who desired to go to a football, basketball, or baseball game or Olcott Beach. Holidays, fish fries, and playing cards are family traditions we still honor today. She moved to Florida, in 1986. She worked at various jobs before starting at G Pierce Woods. One of her greatest accomplishments was qualifying to become a correctional officer for Florida. She became a correctional officer at Desoto Correctional Facility in 1996 and retired as a Sergeant in 2010. After retirement, she became a volunteer companion and supported many elderly within her community. She was an ally and advocate for immigrants needing their green cards.
Kat loved music, football, cooking, traveling, and hanging out with her friends. Her time
with her friends and family was the pillar of her life. She loved a good cruise. She was a
member of the Porte Charlotte Dominoes club.
Katherine gave her life to Christ many years ago. She started attending Deep Creek
Worship Center under the leadership of Pastor Walter Branch where she remained a
member until her death. Kat would spend her mornings reading and meditating on the
word. She developed a true love of God and his people.
She is predeceased by her parents Bennie Coger Sr., and Mary Lean (Willie) Jakes jr, and
Her brothers; Willie Ben (Loretta) Clark, Bennie (Merty) Coger Jr., and Willie Jakes Jr. II,
her sister Justina Jakes and sons Carlee Ellis Jr., Darby (Tanya) Ellis. and daughters Ruby
Jean (Julius) Bryant, and Alice Marie Ellis.
She leaves to mourn her children Gail Berkes, Al Ellis, Matthias (Michelle) Ellis, Andrew (Kim) Ellis, of Rochester, New York; Rawn Mitchell,
of Phoenix, Arizona Novel Ellis, of Conner, Georgia, Toshia Mitchell of Rochester, New
York, Glenda Wise, and Lashawn Ellis of Arcadia; her brother Tommy Jakes Sr., and two
sisters Vera (Ramon) Hernandez-Mendez and Earline Coger; her grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, September 27, 2024 from 1-2pm at Ponger Kays Grady Funeral Home in Arcadia. The service will follow at 2pm.
Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com
Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes & Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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