James Henry Ritchie

James Henry Ritchie, 87, of “Evergreen” in Dinwiddie County, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2012. Born at Charlotte Courthouse, Va., he was one of seven children of the late Ray Miller and Mildred White Ritchie. He and his family moved to Dinwiddie in 1925. His parents purchased Evergreen in 1928 and moved there in 1930. The farm continued to be Mr. Ritchie’s home for the rest of his life. He was a lifelong member of Lebanon United Methodist Church, a former member and past president of the Dinwiddie Ruritan Club, and a former member of the board of directors of Dinwiddie Volunteer Rescue Squad. He was a lifelong farmer and for many years operated a dairy at Evergreen Farm on Boydton Plank Road. Because of his love for farming, he was involved in numerous farming organizations. In addition to farming, he was a builder, and especially enjoyed salvaging colonial era building material and incorporating them into new homes. He was particularly partial to “heart pine” lumber. In addition to his parents, Mr. Ritchie was preceded in death by his wife, Lenora Price Ritchie, and siblings, Helen R. Dixon, Ray Miller Ritchie, Jr. and Charlotte R. Addington. He is survived by a son, James H. Ritchie, Jr. and a daughter, L. Elizabeth Ritchie, both of Dinwiddie; grandson, James S. Ritchie; sisters, Mildred R. Holder and Elizabeth R. Thomas, both of Richmond; brother, Stephen S. Ritchie of Fernandina Beach, FL; brother-in-law, Henry W. Addington of Richmond, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dedicated and supportive friends, including Jill E. Jordan of Prince George. A funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 21st, at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home with The Reverend Phyllis S. Piluso officiating. Interment will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lebanon United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 156, Dinwiddie, VA 23841, Dinwiddie Historical Society, P.O. Box 153, Dinwiddie, VA 23841, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .