Barbara Kay Reid Ritch left this earth peacefully and gracefully to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 8, 2026.

She is survived by her husband, Kelly Ray Ritch of Huntsville, TX. Two children, daughter, Kimberly Sue Ritch McGee of Montgomery, TX, and son, Ritchie Ritch of Bayou Vista, TX. Grandchildren, Cody Wayne McGee and wife Dawn of Stafford, VA, Courtney Sue McGee, of Willis, TX and Kennedy Ritch of Spring, TX. One great-grandchild Brendan Wayne McGee of Staford, VA. Nephew, Edward Reid Brannon of Midland, TX and Sherri Kay Walker of Midland, TX.

Barbara Kay Reid Ritch was born on September 17, 1941, to Clarence Adolph "Dusty" Reid and Mable Miller Reid. She grew up in Waco, Texas, and graduated from Waco High School in 1959. She later attended Sam Houston State University, where her life would forever change.

Kay and Kelly met at Sam Houston when Kelly was a sophomore and Kay was a freshman. On February 9, 1962, Kay married the love of her life, Kelly Ray Ritch.

After Kelly graduated from Sam Houston, they began building their life together in Houston, Texas.

In 1974, they relocated to Shenandoah, Texas, where together they built their business, The Man's Shop. Kay worked tirelessly alongside Kelly helping get the business off the ground, while also serving as a long-term substitute teacher at Oak Ridge Elementary School. Kay loved children, and children loved her right back.

After retirement, Kay and Kelly moved to Onalaska, Texas, where they spent many treasured years near the water she loved so much. Kay found joy in working in her flower beds, sitting quietly on the back deck in the early mornings with her coffee, Bible, and prayer time, and ending evenings beside Kelly with a glass of wine, talking about their day as the sun went down.

In 2006, they returned to Huntsville and made their home in Elkins Lake, trading lakefront living for life on the ninth hole. Those who knew them best believed they returned to Huntsville so they could spend their later years where their love story first began. Together they enjoyed dinners with dear friends and faithfully cheered on the Sam Houston Bearkat football, basketball, and baseball teams. Orange was always the Saturday color, and their large Sam Houston flag proudly waved for all to see from the golf course.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the family and friends who supported them during the last four months. Every prayer, kind word, visit, and act of love has been deeply appreciated.

They would also like to thank Huntsville Memorial Hospital, MRC Creekside, and Oasis Hospice for the compassionate care and love shown to Kay during this time.

God is good. Kay is now dancing with her Savior and being welcomed home by her daddy, mama, and her sweet sister, Sue.

A memorial service for Kay will be held on Friday May 15, 2026 at 1:00PM at Heritage Oak Funeral Home in Huntsville.