Obituary of Eula Ritchie

Eula Ritchie, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at her home in Garvin, OK. She was born on May 12, 1933 in Battiest, OK, the daughter of Thad and Ressie Bennett Johnson. Eula was a 1951 graduate of Battiest High School. She married James Ritchie on July 30, 1951 in Crescent City, CA. She worked as a cafeteria worker at Idabel Public Schools and Canadian, OK Public Schools for 34 years. Eula also worked as a telephone operator in Crescent City, CA. Eula was a member of the Garvin Church of Christ. She enjoyed needle work, sewing, quilting and when the children were young she made most of their clothes. In the last few years she entered her quilting projects in the McCurtain County Fair and received several blue ribbons and a grand champion ribbon for her quilt tops. Her children and grandchildren have lots of her stitchings of love in their homes. A devoted wife, mother, grannie, great-grannie, aunt, sister and friend she will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents and 10 brothers and sisters. Eula leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 62 years, James Ritchie of the home; son and daughter-in-law, David and Sandra Ritchie of Idabel, OK; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Rick McCracken of McAlester, OK, Debbie M Ritchie of the home and Joan and Butch Lecrone of McAlester, OK; grandchildren, Jesse and Amy McCracken, Jerod McCracken, JD Ritchie, Laci and Blake Meeks, Chelsi and Tim Krause and Brooke and Chandler Henderson; great-grandchildren, Sierra, Addison, Kaitlin, Beau, Presley, Tristan, Jolie and Anna; sisters, Nell Clements of Banks, AR, Gladys Avedian of Cary, NC and Charlene Pierot of Durant, OK; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at the By Pass Church in Idabel, OK. Interment will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery in the Forest Grove Community, OK. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at the funeral home.