Obituary published on Legacy.com by Adcock Funeral Home - Spring Lake on Oct. 1, 2025.
Janice "Ruth" Ritchie, 85, of Craigsville, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 5, 2025, at her daughter's home in Beaufort, NC, surrounded by her loving daughters and her son-in-law.
Ruth was born on June 12, 1940, in Tioga, Nicholas County, WV, to the late Eldridge "Tick" Canter and Virgie Mae Nolf Canter. She was the devoted wife of the late Lowell Elton Ritchie, with whom she shared many years of a happy and blessed marriage. Together, Ruth and Lowell built a life centered on love, family, and cherished traditions. Many of their happiest moments were spent camping and fishing along the Greenbrier River and other scenic places throughout West Virginia, creating memories that will live on through their children and grandchildren.
Ruth attended church at both Grace Church in Persinger and St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Craigsville, where she loved serving God and fellowshipping with her church family. She was also active with the Craigsville Senior Center, where she enjoyed camaraderie, laughter, and lasting friendships with other local seniors.
In addition to these joys, Ruth treasured the simple pleasures of life. In Beaufort, NC, she loved attending concerts in the park and enjoying scenic picnic lunches with ocean views. She also delighted in taking leisurely rides along rural routes in West Virginia in search of deer-a pastime all four of her children shared with her, making it a beloved family tradition.
Above all, Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She found her greatest joy in spending time with her family, whether gathered around the table, sharing stories, or simply being together.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by two sons, David Ritchie and Michael Ritchie.
She is survived by her daughters, Angela Ritchie Winters of South Point, OH, and Sandra Ritchie Davis and her husband, Lee, of Beaufort, NC; her daughter-in-law, Barbara Ritchie of Cowen, WV; her beloved grandchildren, Zachary Winters, Cierra Sands (Daniel Tuller), Laura Ritchie Snyder, Matthew Ritchie (Brittany), and Autumn Ritchie; and her treasured great-grandchildren: Ava, Lelia and Landry Snyder; Alexa and Jasper Winters; Harley Ritchie, Ailyna LaSpina, and Lilianna Tuller. She is also survived by her sister, Gladys Keener of Lorain, OH; her brother-in-law, George A. Ritchie and his wife Bonnie of Calvin, WV, and sister-in-law, Leah Ritchie Casto of Summersville, WV, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Grace Church in Persinger, WV, with Pastor Shawn Bragg officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow at West Virginia Memorial Gardens in Calvin.
Online condolences to the family may be made at https://my.gather.app/remember/ruth-ritchie
Arrangements are entrusted to Adcock Funeral Home of
Spring Lake, NC, and Simons-Coleman Funeral Home of Richwood, WV.