Obituary for Tanya Ritchie

Tanya Ritchie

June 27, 1962 – August 20, 2021

Tanya Janell Ritchie, age 59, of Perry, Oklahoma, passed away August 20th, 2021, in her home after a two year battle with cancer.

Tanya was born on June 27th, 1962, in Oklahoma City to Donald and Peggy Ann Ritchie. As the daughter of a minister, Tanya and the family followed the calling of the Lord around the state of Oklahoma. Tanya graduated from Perkins-Tryon high-school in 1980. She continued her education at Oklahoma Baptist University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Piano. Tanya then received a Master’s Degree of Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Tanya spent several years following her graduation working as a children’s minister and daycare director in North Carolina and Oklahoma. She then worked with Oklahoma Baptist University in the Campus Ministries Office for many years. Her time at OBU was very important to her because it allowed her to support student ministries and missions around the world. Tanya transitioned from the position at OBU to become a social worker with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services so that she could live closer to her family. Tanya invested heavily in her jobs and loved working in places that allowed her to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Tanya was deeply devoted to her family. She was ever present in the lives of her parents, brother and sister-in-law, and niece and nephews. It didn’t matter what the family was doing, exciting or mundane, enjoyable or exhausting, Tanya was there, and she was happy to be there. Even though Tanya was quiet and appreciated being in the background, people never failed to notice her kindness and loving spirit.

Tanya is survived by her mother, Peggy Ritchie of Perry, OK; her brother and sister-in-law, Kent and Shana Ritchie of Perry, OK; her niece and nephews, Beth, Jess, and Coleman Ritchie of Perry, OK; and her brother and sister-in-love, Wayne and Ellan Edwards of Ponca City, OK.

Tanya is preceded in death by her father, Don Ritchie; her grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 8:00am to 8:00pm with family visitation from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 10:00am at the First Baptist Church in Perry, OK.

Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45 AM. Burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens Cemetery in Oklahoma City.

Casketbearers will be: Jess Ritchie, Coleman Ritchie, Wayne Edwards, Bob Stidham, Shane Stidham, and Dwayne Cox. Honorary casketbearers will be: Tony Adigwe, Bill Spears, Tim Capehart, and Royce Stephens.

Memorial contributions shall be made to Two Roads Foundation/ Oklahoma Baptist- “Go Students” Mission Trips in care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th Street, Perry, OK 73077. We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Tanya at www.troutperry.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077.

Source: Trout Funeral Home