Margaret Ellen Ritter

Margaret Ellen Jones Ritter, 96, formerly of Pendleton County, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, at the Willows at Hamburg in Lexington, Kentucky. Born on September 2, 1929, she was the beloved daughter of the late Rufus and Frances Wiglesworth Jones.

A devoted educator, Margaret dedicated 28 years to the Pendleton County School System, where her commitment to excellence touched countless lives. Over the course of her distinguished career, she was honored with numerous prestigious awards, including Kentucky Education Teacher of the Year by KY Consumer Finance (1981–1982), Teacher of the Year for Northern Kentucky (1979, 1988, and 1992), Exemplary Teacher by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce (1985), and recognition as National Teacher of the Year. Her passion for teaching extended far beyond the classroom, shaping both her students and her community.

Margaret also played a vital role in community service. She helped organize the Pendleton County AARP Chapter and served as its president for eight years. Her dedication and leadership were further acknowledged with the James Griffin Community Involvement Award in 1993, a testament to her steadfast commitment to the people of Pendleton County.

A woman of deep faith, Margaret was an active member of Falmouth Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years and participated in the Baptist Women's Association. Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in service were hallmarks of both her spiritual and personal life.

Margaret loved being part of the Pendleton County community and took great pride in every role she embraced. She will be remembered for her gentle strength, her lifelong dedication to education, and the profound impact she made on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family, friends, former students, and the community she so dearly cherished.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Will Ritter in 2016, as well as her brother and sister-in-law Clarence and Janice Jones, and son-in-law Ronald Mills.

She is survived by her daughter Deborah Mills; son Michael (LaDonna) Ritter; sister Joyce (James) Crigler, and granddaughter Sarah (Caleb) Patterson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Margaret will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 1 PM at the Woodhead Funeral Home in Falmouth, KY. Visitation will precede the service from 11AM-1PM, and interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Falmouth Baptist Church.