Our precious little man

Our precious little man, Larry Eugene Ritchie, 59, of N.C 18/U.S. 64, Morganton, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 following a period of declining health. Born March 23, 1952 in Burke County, NC, he was a son of Thelma Causby Ritchie of Morganton and the late, Glenn Calvin Ritchie. Larry was one of God’s "special children" who spread love wherever he went. He loved the outdoors including fishing and camping and was an avid collector of fishing magazines. Christmas and the holiday season was his favorite time of year and he was an avid fan of trains, fire trucks, bluegrass, and gospel music. He always wanted to be on the go. Larry was a member of Antioch Baptist Church where he had fifty-nine years of faithful attendance. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Sadie and Carl Ritchie; paternal grandmother, Rilla Arney; and maternal grandparents, T.N. and Lue Hallyburton.Surviving in addition to his mother are his brother, Carl Glenn Ritchie of Morganton; his sisters, Geneva Stilwell and her husband, John and Patsy Brown and her husband, Mark all of Morganton; nephews, Allen Stilwell and his wife, Danielle and David Stilwell all of Morganton; nieces, Whitney Conway and her husband, Josh and Megan Ritchie all of Morganton; a great niece, Madison Stilwell of Morganton; and a number of other relatives.A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2011 at Antioch Baptist Church with the Reverends Clarence Correll, Ronnie Burgett, and Conley Matlock officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday at the church for one hour before the service. At other times the family will be at the home of Patsy Brown, 3232 N.C. 18/U.S. 64, Morganton. Memorial gifts may be made to Antioch Baptist Church Youth Fund, 2441 Antioch Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.