Doris Virginia Hoover Ritchie

Doris Virginia Hoover Ritchey, age 88 passed away on July 3, 2018 in her home in Toccoa, Georgia. Doris was born on January 20, 1930 to Harold Hoover and Ethel (Luke) Hoover in Lenox, Georgia. She was raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. She was born again at age eleven while attending The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Daytona Beach, Florida. Doris met her husband Clyde at Nyack Bible Training Institute in Nyack, New York. They were married in 1952 on a live CBS television program called, “Bride and Groom.” After starting a church in Ormond Beach, Florida, they served as missionaries with The Christian and Missionary Alliance to Ivory Coast, West Africa from 1955-1992. They retired to Toccoa, where they were members of First Alliance Church of Toccoa.

Doris’s greatest joy was her family, and she was dearly loved by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While serving as a missionary in Africa she was known for being a warm hostess, excellent cook, and friend to many.

Survivors include her husband Rev. Joseph Clyde Ritchey of Toccoa; children Brenda Ritchey and Mary Kaye Ritchey of the home, Jonathan (Jessie) Ritchey of Winder, Judy (Herb) Bloomer Tomlinson of Toccoa, and Daniel (Elizabeth) Ritchey of Toccoa. Grandchildren include Caitlin Ritchey (and James) Tripp and Justin Ritchey; Amanda Bloomer (and Craig) DeSimone, David (and Melissa) Bloomer, Ben (and Alexandra) Bloomer, Susie Bloomer (and James) Hunter, Brook Tomlinson (and Wayne) Poole, and Matthew Tomlinson; and Jordan (and Brittany) Ritchey, Brandan Ritchey, and Erin Ritchey. Great-grandchildren include Alayna, Summer and John Bloomer (and one on the way); Garrett DeSimone; Jace, Grayson and Aiden Poole; and Violet Bloomer.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6)

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Great Commission Fund of The Christian and Missionary Alliance online at: https://secure.cmalliance.org/give/ or mailed to: The Christian and Missionary Alliance, 8595 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. On the memo line indicate: “Memory of Doris Ritchey—Great Commision Fund.”

Funeral services will be Friday, July 6, 2018, 10 O’clock a.m. at the First Alliance Church of Toccoa with The Reverend David Arnold and The Reverend Scott Borderud officiating. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at the Acree-Davis Funeral Home on Thursday, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The body will lie in state at the First Alliance Church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the service time. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.

Interment will follow in the Stephens Memorial Gardens with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Doris Ritchey.