Mr. Johnny Earl Ritter, 84, of Walterboro, entered into rest Tuesday morning, August 29, 2023, at Lowcountry Community Hospice House in Summerville. He was the devoted husband of the late Mrs. Linda Pearce Ritter, who was the love and light of his life.
Born April 16, 1939, in Walterboro, South Carolina, he was a son of the late Johnny Howard Ritter and the late Annie Ramsey Ritter and was raised in the Possum Corner community of Colleton County. Following graduation from high school in 1957, he enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he served for nine years. During his high school days, he began working at the former Colonial Store which eventually transitioned into Big Star Grocery where he worked for sixteen years until the business closed its doors. It was through that association that he came to know the late Marion and Lily Prine and quickly became as loved by them as one could possibly be. He worked diligently under Marion and Lily for thirty-four years as their Operations Manager at the iconic Prine’s Provisions in Walterboro. Johnny never stayed idle and retirement just was not his nature. When Prine’s closed its doors in the late 1990’s, he then looked to the late Donald Herndon who quickly put him to work. There never really was a title that accurately fit Johnny other than he, over the course twenty-five years, served in almost every capacity necessary at Brice Herndon Funeral Home. He was always at work before he was supposed to be and never left early. Johnny loved his fellowman and was always willing to do whatever he could for anyone. His caring nature and wonderful smile helped countless folks during the time that he served the Walterboro and surrounding communities in his service at Brice Herndon.
He is a lifelong member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Ritter, where he has served as the Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Secretary, Building Fund Treasurer, and on the Cemetery Committee. Johnny loved the outdoors. In his younger years, he was often out boating and fishing the local creeks and rivers of Colleton County. He also loved deer hunting and spent many hours hunting the beloved acreage of Ritter – the place where his heart always remained.
Surviving are: his sister, Brenda Ritter McCants (Jim) of Walterboro; a brother-in-law, G.H. “Deaka” Fennell of Walterboro; a sister-in-law, Brenda Ritter McMillan (H.M.) of Walterboro; and six nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved, Monique Fennell Dawson (Patrick), Todd Fennell (Natalie), Carole McCants Hendrix, Jimmy McCants (Jennifer), David Ritter (Andrea), and Randy Ritter as well as their children, Preston (Emily) Dawson, Parker Dawson, Sophie and Fiona Ritter, Drake Hendrix and Claire Hendrix, Mickey Fennell, McKenzie Fennell and Sydney Fennell, Harper McCants and Riley McCants. He is also survived by one he raised and loved as a daughter, Beth Ackerman and her children, Lindsay (Brian) Logan and Tanner (Elizabeth) Ackerman; as well as Linda’s brothers, Bob Pearce (Barbara) of Jacksonboro and Michael Pearce (Sabrina) of Walterboro; sister, Cathy Tisdale (Jimmy) of Manning; and their families. He was preceded in death by his brother, Alton Ritter; and his sister, Kathryn Ritter Fennell.
Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has requested that memorials be directed in his memory to: Ebenezer United Methodist Church, care of Bonnie Ritter Ramsey, 169 Saratoga Lane, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.
The Relatives and Friends of Mr. Johnny Earl Ritter attended his funeral services at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, September 2, 2023, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. The Reverend Gary Finch officiating. Interment followed in the Ebenezer United Methodist Churchyard, 1150 Possum Corner Road, Walterboro.
The family received friends from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock this Friday evening at The Brice W. Herndon And Sons Funeral Homes And Crematory, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.
