Emma Ritchie

Emma Elizabeth Ritchie, age 94, of Alpena Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, November 29, 2022, one day shy of her 95th birthday. She passed peacefully in her sleep at Hillcrest Home in Harrison, Arkansas.

She was born November 30, 1927, in McComb, Mississippi to John S. McIntyre and Hazel Kuykendall McIntyre, the 6th of 8 Children. 

She married William Allen Ritchie, Jr. on April 3, 1949, in McComb, MS at the pastor’s home.

She is survived by her children: Richard Ritchie and wife Trisha, Dennis Ritchie and wife Suzie, and Debbie Weaver, 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings.

Emma had a successful career as a commercial line’s insurance underwriter at Heiden Marchetti Insurance, Daigle, Barham, & Holder Insurance, and Mutual Insurance Agency.

She was a member of Alta Woods Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi and Sunday school teacher to 4- and 5-year-olds for almost 50 years. She was President of the AWBC Joy Singers Choir. She taught Good News Clubs with Child Evangelism Fellowship at Lester Elementary School after retirement. Upon moving to Alpena, Arkansas, she was an active member of Osage Baptist Church.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, December 2nd at Osage Baptist Church, Alpena, Arkansas. Visitation at 10:00 AM and service at 11:00 with Pastor Lannie Younger officiating.

A graveside service will be conducted at Woodlawn Cemetery in Summit, Mississippi on Monday, December 5th at 3:00 PM with Pastor Nathan Ritchie officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Emma requested donations be made to the Alpena Volunteer Fire Department for their kind assistance.

Online condolences can be made at smithfamilyfuneralhome.net.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emma Ritchie, please visit our floral store.