Hoke Henderson Ritchie, Jr.

Obituary: Hoke Henderson Ritchie, Jr., age 49, died Sunday, March 6, 2011 at his home after a brief illness. He was born December 8, 1961 in Nash County, NC, the son of Rev. Dr. Hoke H. Ritchie, Sr. and the late Clara Eunice Cook Ritchie.He was a 1980 graduate of Thomasville Senior High School.He earned his first bachelor of Arts degree in 1984 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in speech communications.He earned his second Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in business. He was an active member of Center Grove Lutheran Church, Kannapolis, NC where he had served as a Sunday School teacher, Lector, Thrivant Representative, and active with the Finance Committee .He loved all sports especially UNC Tarheels basketball. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Center Grove Lutheran Church, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Loyd Ginn and a lifelong friend, James Cooper.Burial will follow at Center Grove Lutheran Church Cemetery, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church prior to the service. Survivors in addition to his father and his 2nd wife, Betty Ballard Ritchie include two sisters, Miriam Ault & husband, Richard of Oklahoma City, OK and Martha Ila Ritchie of the home; a brother, John David Ritchie of Concord, NC; two step-brothers, Tom Ballard of Manteo, NC and Bill Ballard of Atlanta, GA; and a niece, Melinda Ault of Hickory, NC. Memorials may be made to Center Grove Lutheran Church, 1601 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083 OR to the scholarship program of the Morehead-Cain Foundation, P.O. Box 690, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0690.
Visitation: 1-2:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 9th at Center Grove Lutheran Ch.

Service: 2P.M., Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Center Grove Lutheran Ch.

Interment: Center Grove Lutheran Church Cemetery.