Gladys Marie Ritchie

A graveside service for Gladys will be held Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Memory Hill Gardens, 2200 Skyland E Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405.

Born and raised in Warren, Ohio Gladys was an only child to Dr. & Mrs. Randall McNickle. While attending college and concentrating on a degree in Dental Hygiene, she became smitten by a tall, handsome Air Force officer and began her transition to becoming a Southern Belle. Gladys married Paul O'Neal Ritchie in 1954; later followed by two children, Terri Jane and Paul O'Neal Jr. Gladys lived in Florida and several central and north Alabama cities during her career and finally settling in Tuscaloosa for her remaining years. She had varied hobbies...cooking, reading and entertaining plus she enjoyed reading Sunday school lessons and other Christian materials. She made several mission trips including one to Venezuela. Another activity she looked forward to was packing shoe boxes for Samaritans Purse.

And as you might expect, Gladys was a big-time Alabama football fan and always wore the appropriate team wear for game viewing.

She loved her family immensely and kept us in line! Always having a quick reply, she let her thoughts be known in a way that brought us laughter. There was always a stray cat or dog that she couldn't resist keeping. After retiring from her dental hygienist position, she began volunteering at Calvary Baptist, Caring Days and Hospice of West Alabama. When driving became a challenge, her caregiver Brenda entered our lives and helped her experience many exciting adventures until it became apparent it was time to focus on home activities.

Upon hearing of her departure, a cousin concluded "Alabama will never be the same."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in her honor to Hospice of West Alabama, Caring Days, or Calvary Baptist Church.