Alice Louise “Alouise” Ritter, 78, of Hartfield, stepped from this life and claimed her eternal reward on Sept. 21, 2013.

She was born on March 26, 1935 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and moved to Alexandria, Va., in 1948. She married the Rev. James N. Ritter in 1957. She ministered beside her husband at 22 United Methodist Churches across Virginia for 42 years using her gifts of music and teaching. She taught second through fifth graders in the Virginia Public School System for 25 years. On retirement, she moved to Piankatank Shores, and was an active member of Lower United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, the Rev. James N. Ritter; children, Mark Ritter of South Bend, Ind., the Rev. Paul Ritter (Valerie) of Harrisonburg, Kenneth Ritter of Winchester, and Kathy Foster (Bobby) of Stephen City; aunt, Anna Mae Swenson of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; brother, George Witbeck (Gaye) of Canyon Lake, Texas; grandsons, Michael, Joshua, and Rusty Foster, Andy Ritter, Samuel Ritter; and four great-grandchildren.

A service of death and resurrection will be held Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. at Lower United Methodist Church in Hartfield, Va.

Gifts in Alouise’s memory may be given to the Lower United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund. Lower UMC is located at 120 Lower Church Road, P.O. Box 98, Hartfield, Va. 23071.