Annita Hartsell Ritchie

Annita Hartsell Ritchie, age 85, passed away at the Hendrick Hospice Care Center on April 21, 2025. She was born on July 24, 1939 in Vivian, Louisiana and was the youngest of two children.

As the daughter of a roughnecker during the oil boom of the mid-twentieth century, most of Annita’s youth was spent moving from community to community throughout Louisiana and Texas. Her father was a union representative for oil field workers, and from a young age, she often assisted her father in preparing correspondence and other documents related to his representation of his co-workers. Annita was also heavily involved in school-related extra-curricular activities, and was a cheerleader at Edna High School.

Annita obtained an undergraduate degree at Abilene Christian University. She was a prominent figure on campus and a talented vocalist, participating in the Acapella Chorus, musical theatre, and social clubs. While attending ACU, Annita met Eris Alton Ritchie, whom she later married on July 29, 1960.

For almost all of her adult life, Annita lived in Cisco, Texas. While living in Cisco, Annita worked remotely as a caseworker for Smithlawn Maternity Home and Adoption Agency, where she helped to interview and screen young couples who were seeking to adopt infants. She was also the owner of The Lemon Tree, a dress shop, during the 1970s and 1980s.

Annita and Eris were married for 55 years. She was a devoted wife and a beloved mother to her children, to whom she provided home-cooked meals, encouragement in faith, and planning for many joyous celebrations, including birthdays and Christmases. She enjoyed travel and spending time with friends.

In 1991, Annita obtained a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from ACU. After obtaining her degree, she opened a counseling practice in Cisco that assisted countless individuals and couples within and around the community. Annita was also well-known as a women’s bible class teacher at the Cisco Church of Christ.

Annita is preceded in death by her husband Eris, by her parents Juanita (Rivers) Hartsell and Arlis Carmack (A.C.) Hartsell, and by her brother Sherry. She is survived by her four children: Matthew Eris Ritchie and wife Sheila, of Abilene, Robin Ritchie Eller and husband Sam, of Fort Worth, Holly Hart Ritchie, of Fort Worth, and Michael Christopher Ritchie and wife Lynsey, of Spring. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Levi Eris Ritchie, Anna Rachel Ritchie Moore, Alexandria Elizabeth Ritchie Morrison, Rebecca Grace Ritchie, Loryn Mackenzie Peace, Lyndsey Morganne Peace Garcia, Jake Robert Peace, Hailee Erann Williams Lord, David Riley Williams, Denver Michael Ritchie, and Juliana Renee Ritchie. Additionally, Annita is survived by one great-grandchild: Jude.

Private burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery on the morning of April 25. A public Memorial Service will be held at the Cisco Church of Christ (1701 Ave. N.) on Friday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m. The public is also invited to a visitation and viewing during the evening of April 24, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kimbrough Jacobs Funeral Home (300 W. 9th St.). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Annita’s memory to the Eris A. Ritchie, Jr. and Annita Hartsell Ritchie Endowed Scholarship at ACU  (Tel: 800-588-1514, acu.edu/giveonline, click "Select  Fund(s)" and then "Other" and type in the name of the scholarship).

The family is grateful to the volunteers and workers at Hendrick Hospice Care Center for the care and service that they have provided.

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