George Arliss Ritchie

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Buried:
UNICOI - George A. Ritchie, age 84, Unicoi, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in the Johnson City Medical Center. He was a son of the late John K. and Hattie Love Ritchie.

George was born and raised in Stoney Creek but had lived in Unicoi most of his life. He was a 1955 graduate of Unaka High School where he played basketball and was known as Mr. Unaka or Hopper. He also attended Milligan College where he was the high jump champion. George was in US Army Reserves attending boot camp in Fort Jackson, SC.

George retired from Flav-O-Rich Dairy after thirty years of service. He was a member of the Unicoi Masonic Lodge # 681, Unicoi Shrine Club, Unicoi Ruritan Club, Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society, and served as the election commissioner in Unicoi for many years. He enjoyed watching his grandsons play ball and was known to many as “Daddy George”.

George was a faithful member of Unicoi United Methodist Church where he belonged to the New Beginnings Sunday School Class and sang in the choir.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Bill, Gebe, and Gene Ritchie; two sisters: Mary Lou Scott and Linda Littleton.

George leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Nancy Seward Ritchie; two daughters: Ronda Simpson and husband, Rob, Sharon Slagle and husband, Donnie; three grandchildren: Connor Simpson, Clay Simpson, Lucas Slagle; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Randall and Gail Seward, Joann Ritchie; many special nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 PM Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Unicoi United Methodist Church New Life Center. Funeral service will follow at 6:00 PM. Dr. Mike Pinner will officiate. Pallbearers will be Connor Simpson, Clay Simpson, Lucas Slagle, Steve Scott, David Scott, Mike Scott, and Bart Ritchie. Committal service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, May 2, 2021 in Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton.

George married Nancy Katherine Seward on 15 Jun 1963 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee. Nancy (daughter of Frank J. Seward and Living) was born about 1941 in , Sullivan County, Tennessee, ; died on 11 Mar 2023 in , Unicoi County, Tennessee, ; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, Carter County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sharon Kay Ritchie was born on 25 Dec 1971 in Washington County, , , Tennessee; died on 5 Jan 2022 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, , Unicoi County, Tennessee.

John married Hattie Etta Love on 12 Feb 1928 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Hattie (daughter of John Russell Love and Louiza J. Sims) was born on 21 Feb 1903 in Sevier County, , , Tennessee; died on 8 Oct 1975 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Rebecca Elizabeth Buckles about 1878 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Rebecca (daughter of Robert Campbell Buckles and Matilda Caroline Taylor) was born about 1858 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Louiza J. Sims on 23 May 1909 in Sevier County, , , Tennessee. Louiza was born on 23 Aug 1879 in Sevier County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Andrew married Jane T. "Jennie" Jenkins about 1837 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Jane (daughter of Emanuel "Manuel" Jenkins and Sarah Elizabeth Crowe) was born about 1817 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 15 Sep 1895 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Ritchie Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Matilda Caroline Taylor on 12 Sep 1845 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Matilda was born on 31 Jan 1825 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 26 Jan 1888 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Buckles Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]