Naomi Phyllis Ritchie

Naomi Phyllis Donaldson Ritchie went to be with her Lord Jesus on Monday, April 24, 2017. She was born on January 9, 1920 in Evans City, PA, to David Warren Donaldson arid Roxy Ethelyn Gibson. Her dad was a minister and her mom was a school teacher. She was the youngest of four children. For many years, Naomi was a substitute teacher in Buncombe County. In 1965, she began teaching fifth grade full time at Haw Creek Elementary School. Music was very important to Naomi. She played the organ during the Prelude for over 20 years at Groce United Methodist Church, as a member and volunteer. She enjoyed listening to Christian and classical music. Her favorite songs included "Jesus There's Something About that Name", "How Great Thou Art", and "The Lord's Prayer". Her favorite Bible Scriptures include Psalm 23. She was a member of Groce United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women since the 1960's. She was also a member of North Carolina Association of Education, North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees' Association, and National Retired Teachers' Association. She would like to be remembered as a person who loved her family. She was kind, patient, generous, honest, a caring wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and a loyal friend full of wisdom and strength. Shopping for clothes for not only herself, but for family and friends, as well as working on crossword puzzles were favorite pastimes. She would always tell us that it kept her mind alert. She is preceded in death by her husband, Earl M. Ritchie and her parents, 1 brother, and 1 sister. She is survived by her sister, Helen Catron; 3 daughters, Kaye Carney, Janis Rowe, and Jeanne Murphy; 5 grandchildren, Cindy Carney, Kristy Carney, Jessica Smith, Natalie Bickley, and Bethany Rowe; 5 great grandchildren, Carson & Carney Hoffman, Quentin Smith, and 2 unborn children to arrive in June 2017. There will be a reception with refreshments at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday May 7th in the Fellowship Hall of Groce United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will be Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory. The family would like to thank the staff at Flesher's Fairview Healthcare for the wonderful care given, and also a special thanks to the staff of CarePartners. Memorials may be made to Groce United Methodist Church Benevolence Fund, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805 and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Naomi's church was a very important part of her life. Also, she had a special interest in supporting St. Jude as a two-time cancer survivor. Naomi showed so much strength during the time she battled cancer. Her family and friends were blessed to have had so many years with her. Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.