Carrie Mae Ritter

If the Marcy Houses were a Kingdom, Carrie Mae Ritter would be the Queen. She was born on August 27, 1935 in Fairfax, South Carolina to (the late) Emma Bryant Ginn and Allen Ginn.

A woman of many names, she was known as: Carrie, Ma, Aunt Carrie, Grandma, Mrs. Ritter, but to everyone, she was the epitome of a community hero. She gave unlimited space, time, money – whatever resources were at her disposal – to ensure those she loved were never in need. Carrie will forever be celebrated as an unapologetic giver.  One of her fondest ways of nurturing was through her food.  And what a cook she was!  Anyone who set foot in her home was offered a hot meal; no one left hungry.  And that was her creed … her contributions to building and sustaining community.

She was wealthy in spirit, so material goods didn’t faze her. It was the small things that put a smile on her face: watching Judge Judy and Family Feud, complaining about the latest gossip on Wendy, completing a difficult crossword puzzle with her son Calvin, reading the Sunday paper, screaming at her daughter Marlene whom she loved to bug, nagging the granddaughter Danequa who never left her side, or reminiscing about old times via conversations with her beloved sister, Ethel Mae.

If you look up the definition of resilience, a picture of Carrie will appear.  Not even dialysis, three times a week, could stop her from running to Macy’s or a quick trip to the casino.  A true warrior spirit, she maximized all that life had to offer.  She was also no stranger to hard work. Having worked at CABS Homecare as a Domestic Engineer for 22 years, with all that wisdom, Carrie was known for a good lesson and an even greater joke.  Sit before her for more than 5 minutes and try not to laugh!  She was blunt and full of wit and humor because she was adamant that life was to be experienced this way.

Among the most difficult of life’s tasks, one thing she firmly believed in and centered was family. Married to (the late) Gettie Ritter, together, they were blessed with five beautiful children.  She sacrificed most of her life raising her children and grandchildren, demonstrating kind and relentless care to her son, Calvin, who suffered from seizures; and most recently tending to her daughter, Nancy, when she grew ill.  She never missed a birthday, holiday, graduation, travel schedule, or major life event. She remembered food choices, diet changes, best friends’ names, cousins’ cousins’ children, and she asked about all of them … because she cared.  Family was the garden she watered daily, and because of this, we know she is resting well.

Carrie leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Marlene, Gregory and Bennie; her grandchildren: Danequa, Imani, Najee and Yizaira; her great-grandson Amren, whom she absolutely adored; brothers: Jimmy and Roy; her sister Ethel Mae; her sisters-in-law: Helen, Betty and Tammy; daughters-in-law: Evelena and Martha; her best friend, Ms. Greene; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and neighbors.  Carrie will be greeted at the gates of heaven by her children: Calvin and Nancy; her husband Gettie; her brothers: William, Levi, Garfield (“Frog”), Bo, Otis; her sister Louise; and daughter-in-law Yvette.

We rejoice and thank God for each moment we shared with Carrie Mae Ritter. We kiss the ground she walked on because we recognize the privilege of being in her presence.  We remember her.  And we give her the biggest honor, because only the largest and brightest crown is fit for … a Queen!

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.