Emma Jean Ritchie Roddy (Mrs. Raymond Roddy), 98, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away Friday, January 15, 2016, at her residence following an extended illness. A native of Carter County, she was a daughter of the late David E. and Belle Murray Ritchie.
Emma Jean was a graduate of Elizabethton High School, TN Wesleyan College and East Tennessee State University with a degree in Home Economics. Emma Jean taught at Elk Mills High School and retired from American Bemberg Corporation after 30 years of service. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Elizabethton, where she taught Sunday School. Emma Jean was a member of the Business and Professional Woman’s Club and the Elizabethton Woman’s Club. She loved to play bridge.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Waters Roddy; four brothers, Ralph Ritchie, Roscoe Ritchie, Ted Ritchie and Elbert Ritchie; and four sisters, Pauline Ritchie, Helen Kate Payne, Lucille Ritchie and Kathleen Bowers.
Those left to cherish her memory include a brother and sister-in-law, Sam Q. and Ruth Ritchie, Elizabethton, and two special nieces, Carla Jean Cox, Knoxville, Tenn., and Margaret Anne Bentley, Elizabethton. Several other nieces and nephews also survive.
A committal service for Mrs. Roddy will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Mausoleum of Peace, with Rev. Raymond Amos Sr. officiating. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the graveside service. The family would like to express a special thank you to her loving caregivers, Earlene Edwards, Lois Helton, Cindy Shull and Bernice Wax. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to First United Methodist Church, 325 East E Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Roddy family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.