Rose E. Ritchie

Rose Earline (Elwell) Ritchie, 91, went to be with her Lord on October 9, 2023. She was born on October 29, 1931, to Marguerite and Earl Waldo Elwell in Harlingen, Texas. She grew up in Harlingen and graduated from Harlingen High School before completing her studies at Pan American University.

Rose worked as a Texas History teacher at Coakley Junior High School for many years before retiring from the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. She married Arthur Eugene "Gene" Ritchie on December 31, 1950 and had five children: Arthur Eugene "Butch" Ritchie Jr., Gail Rose Wooten, Linda Kaye Ritchie, Debra Jean Martin, and John Earl Ritchie.

She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Harlingen and was an avid gardener who loved to travel. Her travels took her all over Europe and as far north as Alaska. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi and participated and helped organize many community service projects and fund-raising events. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend.

Rose is preceded in death by her husband, Gene Ritchie (who she missed greatly); her parents Marguerite and Earl Elwell; and her brother, Kenneth Elwell.

Rose is survived by her children, Arthur Eugene "Butch" Ritchie Jr., Gail Rose Wooten, Linda Kaye Ritchie, Debra Jean Martin, and John Earl Ritchie; her 11 grandchildren, Cheryl Womble, Dr. Melissa Ritchie, Katherine Pankey, James "Andy" Wooten, Adam Wooten, Meagan Sutton, Morgan Martin, John "Little John" Ritchie, Kristen Tovias, Ashley Ritchie, Samantha Guajardo; and her 16 great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Pankey, Sarah Pankey, Evelyn Pankey, Gabrielle Wooten, Kenneth Wooten, Camden Sutton, Blake Ritchie, Cole Ritchie, John Ritchie, Lauren Tovias, William Tovias, Brandon Tovias, Logan Tovias, Francisco Ritchie, Brodie Womble, and Chesney Womble.

The Ritchie family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  Rose will be laid to rest on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Harlingen-Combes Cemetery in Combes.

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