Pearl Ritter's Obituary
Pearl Lee Ritter was born July 15, 1931, in Red Oak, Texas and passed away February 13, 2021, in Garland, Texas, at the age of 89.
Pearl was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Joe V. Ritter, son Brian Keith Ritter, her parents, Joe & Effie Johnson, brothers Walter Johnson, J.W. (Dub) Johnson and Richard Johnson.
Pearl is survived by son Tommy Ritter of McKinney, Texas, Jimmy Ritter & wife Sherry of Alba, Texas; daughter Joyce Little & husband Brent of Philadelphia, Mississippi; also survived by brother Bill Johnson & Alice of Pueblo, Colorado, sisters Mary Parker of Yantis, Texas, and JoNell Burnett & husband Bill of Pittsburgh, Texas; sister-in-laws Joyce Johnson of Duncanville, Texas and Evelyn Hamilton of Tishomingo, Oklahoma; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Pearl was known as Granny to her 6 grandchildren: Chad, Casey, Brandy, Stephanie, Jolee, and TJ; 14 great grandchildren, Caitlyne, Cayleigh, Tyler, Colby, Trevor, Luke, Amy, Ashleigh, Jaylon, Eliana, Nathan, Micah, Kale, Keeley; and two great-great grandchildren, Xavier and Kinsler Joe.
Pearl was born the second child of seven and became a hard worker at a young age, learning to cook and care for siblings, while attending school. She became a young bride at the age of 15 and soon traveled with her husband to Arizona to work in the fields. After returning to Texas, Pearl became a young Mother. Through the years, while raising children, she worked several different places to help her husband take care of the family. Pearl worked as a seamstress at Sunny Isles. She later drove a school bus for Dallas Independent School District. When the children got a little older, she drove a dump truck, delivering sand and gravel for her husband’s business, even making the newspaper with the story about her being a woman truck driver. She was an Avon Representative and an Amway rep. She later landed a job with GTE/Verizon as a Customer Service Representative and worked there until her retirement in 1993.
Pearl loved planting and growing flowers and keeping up their beautiful lawn. She loved to crochet and made many afghans. She was a very good seamstress. She could repair blue jeans for her boys like nobody’s business.
Pearl loved Jehovah God and believed in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the hope of everlasting life; she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1964. Pearl was a beautiful soul and will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, wonderful neighbors and many friends.
As many of you know, Pearl’s son, Brian Keith Ritter, also passed the week before the 13th of February. There will be a memorial for Brian at a later date.
What’s your fondest memory of Pearl?
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Share a story where Pearl's kindness touched your heart.
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