Shirley Mae Ritchey, age 89, formerly of Charleston, MO, died Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, MO.

Born January 28, 1936, at Tallapoosa, MO, to the late Roy Patterson and Nannie Williams Patterson, she had lived in Charleston most of her life until recently moving to Camdenton, MO, to be near her son after the death of her husband.   For the majority of her life Shirley worked in retail business.  For over 22 years with Walmart, first at the Charleston store and later helping to assist the opening of the new Sikeston location.  She was a member of the Chapel by the Lake in Miner, MO.

On December 25, 1951, she married William Robert "Bob" Ritchey, who preceded her in death on July 5, 2020.  Bob served as the Chief of Police for the City of Charleston for a number of years until his retirement.

Surviving are her children, Robert Steven Ritchey and Brenda Elaine Griggs; her grandchildren, Constance Jo Anna "Connie" Gacich and Casey Rene' Barton; her great grandchildren, Robert Preston Ritchey, Amia Siann Griggs and Pierce Joseph Barton; her sister, Joyce Browne; also, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughters, Sara Michelle Holmes and Lauren Ray Griggs, her brothers, James Patterson, Paul E. Patterson and Marvin Patterson, and her sisters, Rebecca Patterson and Myra Kent.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at noon, Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.   Pastor Nick Simmons will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Taylor Cemetery at Essex under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.