Ritter, Margaret Hight

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Margaret Hight Ritter, of Pulaski, Va., has played her final note on the piano here on earth. On August 10, 2009, God chose the most precious, best Mama on earth, to join Him to play the piano for her family and choirs of angels in heaven.

Born in Pulaski County on December 20, 1919, she was the daughter of James M. and Minnie Eanes Hight. She was a sister to those who predeceased her including Lawrence, Harry, James and Tiny Hight, Edna Marshall, Evelyn Crosswhite and Ivy Kessler. She was the loving, faithful wife of Garnett M. Ritter, and Mother to her first born and only son, G. Milton Ritter Jr., both of whom are awaiting her arrival to her heavenly home.

Since 1952, she was a member of The Church of God Bobwhite Blvd. where she served as pianist for 35 years. She taught Sunday School to teens, young married, and adult ladies, was FTH sponsor, assistant teacher at the Randolph House Outreach Ministry, and was vice president of the Ladies Ministries. Mother devoted most of her life to the Lord and she taught her children values based upon the Bible. She never doubted His love and mercy, even during her lengthy illness. We can take comfort in knowing she is no longer plagued by normal pressure hydrocephalus, which confined her to a wheelchair for numerous years.

Mrs. Ritter worked at the Virginia Maid Hosiery Mills, Sweet Orr, Pulaski Apparel and Lees before her retirement. She was supervisor at Sweet Orr for 22 years and Head Floor Lady at Pulaski Apparel for 5 years. She served as President of Pulaski County AARP Chapter 1383 and Chairman of Pulaski County R.S.V.P., where she contributed 20 to 40 hours monthly visiting the helpless, widows and sick, and was a volunteer of Daily Bread. She was a member of the Count Pulaski D.A.R. Her love for others was also expressed when she was foster mother of two sons.

As you can see, she was a very active lady, but still found time for her hobbies of ceramics, sewing, crocheting, walking and collecting antiques. In 1986 she won a silver medal in the Senior Olympics Walking Division. In 1996 she won First Place in the State Senior Adult Talent Keyboard Division of the Church.
Her daughters, Theda Ritter, and Margaret Ann Woods, will lovingly remember her and deeply miss her. The love for her son-in-law, David Woods, was as great as the love for her own son. She was Grandma to Jason Ritter of Richmond and his wife, Mandie, and Ashley Johnson and her husband, Landon, of Salem, and she was G-Ma to Jamie Ritter of Norfolk, all of whom she adored. Hayley Ritter, her “little doll,” and Andon Ritter were her greatgrandchildren. She will also be remembered by her sister-in-law, Virginia Hight; a special brother-in-law, Chuck Kessler; and numerous nieces and nephews who survive her.

Although the tone of the piano under her fingertips will be missed, we know her family she has joined in Heaven are singing, clapping and enjoying her God given musical talent once again.

Though her words have been few for the last seven months, if she were here she would say “thank you” to those who sent her cards, telephoned or visited over the years that she was confined at home. For all who knew her, her advice was to “keep praying the Lord is coming soon.” Mama, you will be missed, however we will hold on to precious memories until that final great family reunion just inside the Eastern Gate and we again will be able to hear the tone of the piano under your fingertips.

The celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2009, at the Bob White Boulevard Church of God with the Rev. Robert Owens and the Rev. Jerry Collins officiating. Burial beside her husband will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visiting will be Thursday evening, August 13, 2009, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home. Stevens Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.