Nancy Katherine Seward

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UNICOI - Nancy Katherine Seward Ritchie, age 82, Unicoi, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. She was born in Kingsport, Tennessee on June 8, 1940, to the late Frank and Florence McInturff Seward. She grew up in Unicoi, Tennessee where she lived the rest of her life.

Nancy graduated from Unicoi County High School in 1958. She also attended ETSU. Nancy married George Ritchie on June 15, 1963. She was a life-time member of Unicoi United Methodist Church and the New Beginning Sunday School Class.

Nancy retired from Unicoi County School System where she worked as a Bookkeeper at UCHS for thirty-one years. She enjoyed visiting the sick in nursing homes and hospitals. Nancy attended all her grandson’s sporting events throughout the years. She was affectionately known as “Nana” by her grandsons.

In addition to her parents, Nancy is preceded in death by her husband of fifty-seven years, George Arliss Ritchie on April 27, 2021, and her daughter, Sharon Kay Slagle on January 05, 2022.

Nancy leaves behind to cherish many wonderfully sweet memories, her daughter, Ronda Ritchie Simpson and husband, Rob of Erwin; son-in-law, Donnie Slagle of Erwin; her three grandsons, who were the light of her life: Connor Simpson and his fiancé, Sydney Smith, Clay Simpson and Lucas Slagle; brother, Randall Seward and wife, Gail of Pine Mountain, GA; sister-in-law, Joann Ritchie; several very special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Governor’s Bend, Christian Care Center of Unicoi County and Amedysis Hospice. Your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten by us.

Mrs. Ritchie’s family will receive friends on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Unicoi United Methodist Church New Life Center from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Dr. Mike Pinner will officiate the 3:00 p.m. funeral service. Committal will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday in the Happy Valley Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Connor Simpson, Clay Simpson, Lucas Slagle, Rob Simpson, Donnie Slagle and Josh Seward.

Nancy married George Arliss Ritchie on 15 Jun 1963 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee. George (son of John K. Ritchie and Hattie Etta Love) was born about 1937 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 27 Apr 2021 in Washington County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Buried:
ERWIN - Sharon Kay Ritchie Slagle, age 50, Erwin, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. She was born on December 25, 1971, in Johnson City, Tennessee. Sharon is a daughter of Nancy Seward Ritchie and the late George Arliss Ritchie.
She was a proud member of the Unicoi County Lady Devil’s Basketball Team from 1986 until her graduation in 1990. Sharon earned her BS Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from East Tennessee State University. She began her teaching career at Rock Creek Elementary School where she taught first grade for several years. Then, Sharon started teaching Pre-K at the Community Learning Center with Unicoi County School System. Later, Sharon became the Director of Pre-K Program with the Unicoi County School System. She attended Evergreen Freewill Baptist Church for several years.
Sharon coached the Unicoi County Middle School Lady Devil’s Basketball Team. She loved watching her son, the light of her life play football, basketball and baseball for the Unicoi County Blue Devils. Sharon attended all his ballgames as well as her nieces and nephews sporting events. She was a loving and devoted wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. Sharon will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew her. The impact Sharon’s short life made on others will be remembered forever and live on for generations to come. Heaven gained an angel.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Frank and Florence Seward and her paternal grandparents, John K. and Hattie Love Ritchie; father-in-law, Donnie Slagle.
Sharon leaves behind to cherish many wonderful memories of her, husband of twenty-seven years, Donnie Slagle; her son, Lucas Slagle, of the home; mother, Nancy Seward Ritchie; sister, Ronda Simpson and husband, Rob; mother-in-law, Tonette Jones and husband, Glenn; sister-in-law, Saundra Miller and husband, Dave; Uncle Randall Seward and wife, Gail; Aunt Joann Ritchie; nieces and nephews: Sydney Miller, Shelby Dean Miller, Joshua Miller, Connor Simpson and Clay Simpson; many very special cousins, friends and co-workers also survive.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Evergreen Freewill Baptist Church. A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Noah Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Connor Simpson, Clay Simpson, Rob Simpson, Joshua Miller, Dave Miller and Josh Seward. Honorary pallbearer will be John English.