Alto Oma Ritchie

RITCHIE,Alto Oma Laminack of Dallas, born October 5, 1913 passed away September 4, 2014. Preceded in death by husband of 50 years, Sylvester (Beck) Ritchie; parents, Jessie William Laminack and Beulah Carlisle; brothers, Troy Laminack, Jessie Junius Laminack; sisters, Mable Allen, Alamo Wheeler; daughter, Barbara Carroll Laminack; daughter-in-law, Mary Clyde Ritchie; sons-in-law, Henry Allen and D. C. Wheeler, niece, Henrietta Allen and nephew, Terry Lynn Allen. Survived by children, Jessie Vick Ritchie & wife, Dorothy of McKinney, TX, Johnny Luther Ritchie & wife, Kathy of Garland, TX; grandchilden, Angela Ritchie-Galban and Alisha Galban of Mesquite, TX, Kristi Ritchie of Garland, TX; great grandchild, Gracie Meza of Mesquite, TX; sister-in-law, Charlene Laminack; niece, Jeanette Leyhe; nephews, Bobby Allen and David Wheeler, Jessie Paul Laminack. Service will be 2:00PM - Monday September 8, 2014 at New Hope Funeral Home, 500 E. Hwy. 80, Sunnyvale, TX. 75182. Family will receive friends at the funeralhome Monday morning from 1:00PM - 2:00PM. Interment will be in Laurel Oaks Memorial Park, Mesquite, TX. Alto Oma Laminack Ritchie was known by many names and wore many hats.To her beloved husband she was “To” pronounced (Toe), to her kids she was mom, to the nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids she was Aunt To, and to her grandkids and great-grand kids she was known as Nanny. She waswife to Sylvester “Beck” Ritchie, mother to one daughter Barbara Carroll that passed away in infancy, and two sons Johnny Luther and Jessie Vick. Nanny leaves a rich legacy behind. A legacy of hard work, unconditional love, life-lessons, and sweet memories that date back a century. She loved to read novels, bake, plant any flower imaginable, wisteria, roses and many more.She harvested bluebonnet seeds every year and replanted them so they were sure to come back the following years. She also harvested pecans from her pecan tree every year to bake with.Nanny had a green thumb.She could grow anything and bring any plant or flower back to life. Nanny enjoyed football – never missed a season and was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan.She was a lifetime member of the Samuel High School PTA and was awarded the Dr. Cooke award by Mrs. Cooke.She also received letters every year from the Presidents of The Unites States in recognition of her birthdays and impeccable citizenship.There have been many accomplishments and awards given to Nanny but most people never knew it as she was as modest as they came. Now, one thing she was extremely proud of and would tell anyone that would listen, as often as they would listen is, she played college basketball at East Texas State Teachers College and was great at her sport. Another proud feat was being a top sales lady at the Tupperware Company.She was very successful selling Tupperware while managing and up-keeping a busy home. She was an extraordinary cook, money manager, reader, home-maker, tough as nails, and a good, God-fearing, Christian woman. Nanny and her slightly older sister Alamo were accidently burned by a pot of boiling water when Nanny was two years old right around 1915.The hot water fused her right hand backward but she never let that stop her or discourage her from accomplishing anything.As a matter of fact she used that terrible accident as a stepping stone through the rest of her life all the while earning the aforementioned basketball scholarship to ETSTC. Toward the end her fused hand became infected and the doctors encouraged her to amputate.She adamantly and firmly said NO!Nanny exclaimed, I came into this world with both hands and I am leaving this world with both hands!And by God’s grace that’s just what happened. A feisty, spit-fire that would not take no for an answer, that stood her ground on everything, and was arguably five feet of concrete – are all adjectives that best describe this wonderful woman. Nanny came from the best kind of stock that included a hard work ethic, motivation, determination, drive, unconditional love, an unwavering faith and a promise to uphold the laws of hand land. That stock she has passed down to many generations and she would be very proud. We are proud to have her legacy given to us.We will make Nanny proud always. While it is painful to let Nanny go from this world we take great comfort in knowing we will see her again. She left this world on a bright, sunny, beautiful day to be received by the arms on an angel.What a glorious day that was. Until we meet again Nanny, thank you for you all of your sacrifices, your undying love, and the lessons you taught each of us. We love you. Rest in Paradise.