Joyce Ann Ritch

Joyce Ann Price Ritch, slipped quietly into the waiting arms of her Lord on Saturday, July 15, 2017. Native of Bradley County, Tenn., she attended the public schools of McMinn county, and then lived all of her adult life in the Chattanooga area. She is survived by husband, Dr. Paul A. Ritch; children, Barbara (Robert), Sherman (Wanda), Trena (Tim), Gary and Dennis; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, David, on Aug. 5, 2015. She was an aesthetician/cosmetologist, and homemaker without equal; and after retiring, studied Art at Chattanooga State for one year and UT Chattanooga for 8 years. She was an accomplished artist, having solo-exhibited mixed-media representational works of art in many regional locations, and won numerous juried competitions including 1st place at the High Museum in Atlanta, Ga. Her paintings have hung in many private collections throughout the nation, and individual works have hung in numerous corporate offices (public and private), and government offices including TVA, NASA, GSA, and the U.S. Treasury. Although she was a wife and mother par excellence, her most crowning attribute was her steadfast love and devotion to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She quietly witnessed for Him; and people were drawn to her because of her genuineness, and love for Him. Children gravitated to her and she was known as “mom” to scores of those whom she impacted. She was a lifetime member of the Gideon’s International Auxiliary. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, and was affectionately known as the “apple pie lady” for the hundreds to whom she so ministered in hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent centers, homebound, neighbors, and countless others “just because”. She will be sorely missed by the legions of those whose lives she touched. But, this is not “goodbye”, it is only a temporary “so long” for we shall see and be with her again. She is not dead; she is just not here! She is more alive today than she ever was! The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. A celebration of Joyce’s life will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the North Chapel with Elder David Cooper and her husband Dr. Paul A. Ritch officiating. Entombment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joyce’s name to the Changed Lives Ministry at P. O. Box 100, Chattanooga, TN 37401, www.changedlives.org, or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, www.hospiceofchattanooga.org. Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.