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Submitted: 1/11/18 • Approved: 1/11/18 • Last Updated: 4/13/18 • R810169-G810168-S3
Jan. 16, 1849
Jan. 6, 1935
Parents:
Mathew Harvey Ritchey (1813 - 1889)
Mary Ann King Ritchey (1818 - 1855)
Spouse:
James Tilton Sanders (1844 - 1892)
Obituary
Amelia Ann Ritchey was born in a farm home upon the present site of Ritchey, Jan. 16, 1849, and died at her home in the town of Ritchey, Jan. 6, 1935.
Her parents were Judge M.H. Ritchey and Polly King Ritchey, who were prominent pioneers of Newton County. Judge Ritchey had extensive business interests, filled several public offices and founded two towns in Newton county, Ritchey and Newtonia.
In 1852 the family moved to a farm upon which was laid out two years later the town of Newtonia. Here Amelia grew to womanhood. Her education was received at the Newtonia Academy, and also at a young ladies' seminary at Booneville.
She was united in marriage Sept. 8l, 1868, to James Tilton (Tuck) Sanders. To them were born one son and five daughters. The family home was first in Newtonia, later in Granby for a short time and finally in Ritchey where Mr. Sanders was actively connected with a mill and elevator. The husband and father lost his life in a railroad accident May 20, 1892. A daughter, Mrs. S.D. Meridith, passed away several years ago.
Mrs. Sanders is survived by a son and four daughters, namely, Mrs. Lula Cowan, Camas, Wash.; R.M. Sanders, Ritchey; Mrs. T. B. Douhitt, Edmond, Okla.; Mrs. John Cornell, Purdy, and Mrs. Ada Gulick, Monett. She leaves also a sister, Mrs. Margaret Graves of near Goodman, a brother, S.H. Ritchey of Stockton, Calif., and many other relatives of more distant kin. The deceased was in fairly good health for one of her age until a few months ago when she received injuries in a fall which resulted in her death.
Mrs. Sanders became a Christian when she was 19 years of age, and served her Lord and Master until the end. She joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Newtonia, but later became a member of the Ritchey Presbyterian church. She was a consecrated Christian and before her health failed she took a leading part in different phases of Christian work. She was zealously identified with the temperance cause and for over 50 years was a member of the W.C.T.U. She was very spiritual and possessed many excellent traits, prominent among which were love for others, tender sympathy for those in trouble, kindness, perseverance, patience, courage, public spirit, fortitude and much reverence for God. Without murmuring she experienced adversity in varied and bitter forms.
While her stand for the right was taken bravely and firmly, still she was not intolerant toward those who believed in or followed other standards. She gave continuously for the support of charity, education and the gospel. Her splendid character and consistent life enabled her to exert a wide influence for good, and also to win a host of friends who deeply regret her passing.
Funeral services were conducted at the Ritchey Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon by Dr. William Cady of Neosho. Her popularity was attested by the many floral offerings and the large congregation. The body was laid to rest in the cemetery of the Ritchey family at Newtonia.
The Neosho Times
Thursday, January 10, 1935
Contributed on 1/11/18 by tslundberg
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Record #: 810169