Alice Mae Aupied Ritter

In the early hours of August 3, 2018, Alice Mae Theresa Aupied Ritter passed away after a brief but mighty fight against MRSA septicemia. She was born in 1937 in Raceland, LA to Benson Pierre Aupied and Bernice Nola Toups Aupied. She had one brother, Pierre Aupied, who died shortly after birth, leaving her an only child for the rest of her life. For 56 yrs she was the devoted wife of R.J. “Tex” Ritter, Sr., who unexpectedly pre-deceased her on August 22, 2013. She has now achieved her fond desire to join with him again, so they may continue their adventures together.

She is survived by her three loving children, daughter Nadine M. Ritter and her husband William Joseph Ward, son R.J. Ritter, Jr. and his wife Sheri Lei Hayashi Ritter, and son B.J. Ritter and his ex-wife Debra Rosenthal-Ritter. Her legacy will continue through her much-loved grandchildren, Ashley Brandon Rosenthal, Shaun Mikel Kalani Ritter, Brett Alan Alakai Ritter, William Random Ritter Ward, Patton Daniel Ritter, James Geraden Ritter Ward, Skye Knight Emrys Ash Ritter Ward, and Kenton Lesley Ritter, and her very first great-grandchild (due in 2019, which she knew before her passing). Her spirit will also be maintained through a wide set of very special friends who were as dear to her as her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Ritter was well-known in the 1970’s and 80’s in the J. Frank Dobie HS cafeteria as the lady who was generous with servings but demanding of manners; if she spied a student trying to unfairly cut in line, she would loudly clear her throat and train her steely blue eyes on the offender until they would slink back into their correct place. In the late 1990’s, Alice and Tex became Santa and Mrs. Claus at Christmas for the Houston Area. They would visit hospitals, schools and senior centers sharing gifts and treats; one year they even traveled by helicopter.

Alice Ritter was an attentive mother to her own family as well as a large cadre of kids who were always welcome in her home at any time, day or night. In the Ritter house, they could count on a warm hug, too much food, and an accepting environment. Alice began life in southern Louisiana, moving to Westwego, LA with her parents, then to Marrero, LA when she and Tex built their first house. In 1968 they moved their family to Houston, TX to further Tex’s engineering career. In 1972 they were relocated to Beaumont TX by Ingersoll-Rand. Then in 1974 they returned to Houston where they enjoyed the rest of their days. In each place they developed deep friendships that became everlasting, while growing closer to their extended Louisiana family over the years.

Mrs. Ritter was loved and admired by her family, respected and honored by her friends. Her children and grandchildren, acquired both by nature or nurture, have inherited a great legacy by her example. Her family encourages those who would like to honor her with a request for memorial comments about her on her Guest Book at Forest Park East: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/webster-tx/alice-ritter-7953501

Mrs. Ritter's service will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please support a charity that was very dear to Alice: Funding a seizure dog for one of her ‘adopted’ grandkids. Please make donations to New Hope Assistance Dogs for Brinley Simmons. Donation can be on-line via https://www.gofundme.com/5f9ozo8 or by mail (please call 832-721-7300 for details). Every little bit helps!