Margaret Lelia Ritchie, 85, of Gordonsville, Virginia , went home to be with The Lord on Thursday, August 14, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret was born in Mineral, Virginia on September 27, 1939 to Charles and Vivian Thacker. On April 5, 1959, she married the love of her life, Rodney Ritchie, and they shared 64 years until his passing in December of 2023. She was a member of Gordonsville Christian Church.

Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She found her greatest joy in caring for those she loved. She was the epitome of Proverbs 31:28 …”her children shall arise and call her blessed; her husband, also, and he praises her”.

She spent many years in daycare, providing care and love for many children in Gordonsville. To these families, she was, and still is, known as Nanny.

Margaret is survived by her children; daughter, Kay Wright (Rick); son, Charles Ritchie; daughter, Margaret Ann Jefferson (Jeff); son, Walter Ritchie (Stacy); daughter, Kim Ritchie; “bonus” daughter, Bonita Shiflett; sister-in-laws, Mary Graves and Pat Ritchie; fourteen grandchildren; Jarrett, Tracy, Brittany, Krystle, Jeffery, Toni, Jonathan, Courtney, Nicholas, Ryan, Andrew, Morgan, Chace and Chance; nineteen great-grandchildren; and dear friends; Bessie Decatur, Pat and Ronnie Morris and Brenda and Pete Backe.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Preddy Funeral Home, 301 North Main Street, Gordonsville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital online or mailed to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

The family wishes to thank all of our friends who reached out to us during Margaret’s illness. Special thanks to the caring and compassionate doctors, nurses and staff at Martha Jefferson Hospital.