Darlene Knight Ritchie

Darlene Ritchie passed away on the evening of Friday, May 8, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved. Born October 17, 1955, as the youngest of six children to the late Carlos and Lucy Knight, Darlene grew up understanding the importance of a large, connected family.

Throughout her life, she and her siblings maintained an unbreakable bond, a foundation that she carried into her own life. It is a testament to her spirit that she is survived by a vast and vibrant family: her husband, Forrest Ritchie; five children, Chris Ritchie (Mindy), Bobby Davis (Jenny), Niki Murphy (Josh), Hope Ritchie (Jeremy), and Heather West (James); sixteen grandchildren, Rebecca Ritchie, Amanda Morris, Dylin Morris, Ian Ritchie, Luke West, Joshua Murphy, Carson West, Jackson Davis, Gaige Ritchie, Sean Murphy, Mikey Tolle, Beau Murphy, Xander Ritchie, Charlee Tolle, Adeline Newman, and Issabella Newman; eleven great-grandchildren; siblings, Paul Wayne Knight (Connie), Lahoma Baumgartner, and Phillip Knight; extended family, and friends.

She is predeceased by her brothers, Carlos Francis Knight Jr and Ronnie Knight.

Known as "Gigi" to nearly everyone, she was a fierce protector of those she loved and a constant seeker of peace. She cherished every family gathering, faithfully carrying forward the traditions passed to her by her father. To her children, she was a provider and a caregiver—a steady source of support who could always be counted on for a kind word.

A celebration of Darlene's life will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Noon at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home, 706 W Jefferson St, LaGrange with burial to follow in Valley of Rest in LaGrange. Visitation will be on Wednesday evening from 4-8pm and Thursday morning from 10am until the start of the service at the funeral home.

Her memory lives on in the stories that will be told by the generations she helped raise. We love you, Gigi.