I am Charles Curtis' cousin.  His grandmother Blanche and my grandmother Icie Mae were sisters.  We played together as children.  I remember when his Uncle Ray bought an organ.  It was Charles Curtis who learned how to be quite an accomplished organ player, which I am sure served him well in his ministry.  RIP Charles Curtis in the loving arms of our Holy Father.  Many fond memories from 60 years ago.  Thank you for that.

I love to hear his music and singing. He has been a blessing to me. The Lighthouse he played and sang was uplifting to me. God bless  you. Reverend Bill Brown

About 14 months later, just now learning about the passing of Bro. Charles Ritchee.  Our loss, Heaven's gain!  I'm certain that he is enjoying being in the Presence of God!  What a wonderful Ministry he shared with others.

Just now found out about Charlie's passing. I truly love and enjoy his music and it has inspired me to play the organ. He will be greatly missed. His was so talented and brought joy and promise to the world.ay God bless you and keep his loving arms around the family.

Your brother in Christ,
Andy Lunsford

So sorry to just learn of Rev. Ritchie’s home-going.  Our family always enjoyed his talent on the organ.  Our prayer for the family that God will bless you with His comfort, love and peace until you meet again in Heaven.  God’s blessings to and for you.   —Rev. & Mrs. David Walters in NC

I just recently started following Mr. Ritchie’s music. I was researching to learn more about him when l came cross his obituary.  I was so sad to learn he had passed away. As l watch him play, l can  tell he loved God our Lord and Savior.  His enthusiasm as he plays  is contagious. With the way this world is now, l thank God l found his uplifting music.  My prayers are with his family and friends. May you find comfort knowing he is in heaven singing and praising God just as he did here on earth,

Harriet Prosser

I only knew Charles Ritchie through the internet, but I loved to hear him play. I only found out tonight (January 18) that he was gone. I especially loved his gospel music but I know he must have been wonderful at horse shows too. May he rest in peace. So sorry for your loss. 

A heavenly joy on earth returned to his Creator. .  A  person that let his light so shine before us that we saw his good works, his talents, enthusiasm,love of life and it did most certainly glorify his Father which is in Heaven.  
 If the pain wasn't there it would mean we didn't love Charles and that is definitely not the case. 

Miss you my Facebook friend.   Truly for us living cherishing your memory, you belong now to the ages. 

I met Charles on Facebook & loved watching his videos of him playing the organ & his musical ministry. He sent me a couple of encouraging messages here and there on Facebook.  I just found out he had passed. I am very sorry and his family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers! Love from Maryland! 
Elizabeth Townsend 
🙏🏼💕

I met Charles on FB and loved his playing, his short messages from his pick up truck when this covid19 first started.  I was missing him on FB and sent a message to him via the church website a week or so ago. I have been praying for him and the family. Know that he is no longer suffering in pain. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around your family during this time. 
Thank you for sharing Charles with so many of us!  🌹🙏❤️

Praying for y’all Jackie. Wish I could have made it.  Rose and I watched it on Facebook. We love you and will continue to pray for y’all daily.  Charles is making some glorious music in heaven and has a glorious new body with no pain.  1 Peter 5:6-7

I never met Pastor Ritchie in person. But I like many others met him on line. What a gentleman! How introspective of others! Wow how talented! But most importantly a Christian that no doubt loved his family and grandchildren. Today absent from the body but present with the Lord today. Oh how we hated to let him go!!! But the Lord had other plans for him. As a nurse I occasionally would offer some thoughts about his cancer. He was always receptive. God Bless Jacki and his precious daughters, sons in law and his precious grandchildren. Rest in Peace,, no more pain!

This is not so much a memory as it is a statement/belief. I met Bro. Ritchie as a teenager when I was desiring a closer walk with God. As I attended his church in Hammond IN, I learned what it was like to have a GENUINE heart for the Lord. During the course of our lives we come accross many who attend church, but few who genuinely have a heart and passion to serve the One who paid the price for us. I’ve never known this man of God to ever put anything else before his Savior, Jesus Christ. That’s not to say that he didn’t make mistakes, we are all falible human beings, our righteousness is as filthy rags. But this man.....lived an Honorable life to his God. And I am incredibly grateful to say that he truly made a difference in my life. ________You will be missed Pastor, but never forgotten. Looking forward to the day when we will rejoice in heaven. RIP

I have known Charles Richie for a while.  He played  the organ for me while I was singing.  We again saw them at Pigeon  Forge.  He was the sweetest guy.  I will always  miss him....

Dear Family, My sincere sympathy for your loss.  But I realize it is Heaven's gain.  Even though we hadn't been together in person in quite a while, I felt close through Charles' posts & comments on FB.  I so enjoyed listening to his music & shared it often with my friends on FB.  I am Carey Beeson's oldest daughter & have told Daddy about Charles. He was so sorry to hear of his passing. Our thoughts, prayers & much love are with you all. My God give you comfort & peace each day.   From a Mississippi Cousin, Joy Moak & my Family.

Mr. Charles was the Evening sounds of GCHS many years for thousands and thousands of exhibitors, vendors, spectators, and staff of our show. There was never a horse action in the ring he missed with his music. He was the "Hokey Pokey"  instigator for the center ring, last night celebration for the Royal Court. I know Mr. Bobby Lanier and many more are glad he is well and "Home" with them. 
Jackie and Tara and Charlotte-My thoughts and prayers surround you at this time and all year.  The fine measure of a man must have used   him as the "Yard Stick".  His legacy is obvious in his family and friends. Susan Winn, GCHS member

I’ve known Charles since he was 10 years old and played the organ at Leaclair. I was a member there for 50 years.  However I became unhappy there and started visiting other churches.  Someone suggested Agape. So I thought might as well, I wasn’t happy with any of the others I visited.  Mind you—-I was JUST  visiting Agape with no intention of joining.  Charles hugged me and said “Well if it isn’t Denorris Wolfe “.  I heard him preach.  I heard him play the piano and organ.  I loved the music. I knew then Agape was where God wanted me.  During the invitation I moved my membership and have never regretted it.   He always had time for me if it were just to ask a question, He was so full of life and he loved everyone.  God took him so young and I can’t help but wonder “Why”.  However I know God is always right so we are not suppose to question.  I’ll miss him so much and I know he is in a better place than any of us. No more pain and no more sickness. I just don’t know how I’ll make it without him in my life.  But I know God will get me and everyone else through losing him.  I love ALL of his family.  RIP my sweet precious friend.  I’ll see you again one day for sure. I love you, Pastor

I only knew Bro. Ritchie from his posts on Facebook & I could see what a Godly man he was.  He uplifted me watching him play his music on piano & organ.  I know he has heard our Savior say “Well done my good and faithful servant”.  I can imagine him playing for Jesus just as he did here on earth.  I am praying for his wife, daughters & all the family, as well as Agape Baptist Church.  Thank you all for sharing his wonderful talent with all of us.

Jackie We are so sorry to hear about my cousin Charles.I visit last with ya'll at Barbara Beeson's homeMy mother Lexie Walker was Margaret sister.Wish we had visited each other more.Charles was such a talented person.I know he loved his wife and family so much.Hope we can meet again one day.My husband and I just lost our daughter Stacy Burns Aug.18 to Colorectal Cancer.She was only 48 yrs old and lived only 8 mo's after she found out she had Cancer.Wish I could make Charles funeral.He has such a sweet family.I will never forget your and Charles sweet smile at Barbara's house that day.Our prayers are with you.God's Blessings always.Sandra Crane.


 I  met Charles Ritchie on line in 2017. He answered some hard questions for me. He inspired me to put my trust in Jesus Christ. He was a wonderful most Godly man I have ever met on this earth!! I pray for comfort for his family! 

He was a wonderful pastor who brought joy to so many through his words and music. May the Lord comfort you all at this time. You are all in my prayers. May the Lord give you peace always.

It saddens my husband and I to know Br. Charles has left this world.  But we know where he is...Glorious Heaven.  He came to Georgian Hills Baptist Church many times to play his wonderful music.  We loved the stories he would tell about the grandkids and horse shows with smiles.  He was so positive.    So glad we had the privilege to know him even just a little.  Our sincerest sympathy to family and his church members.  

Charles was a kind, fun and talented man.  The Foxtrotter world will miss his music and entertainment.    Many members use his CDs at their local shows.  I always enjoyed visiting with him in Ava.  Prayers for his family.

We have many memorable moments with Bro. Ritchie, but I think I will never forget our last time together.  About a week before his death we went by to visit hoping to encourage him.  As we said our goodbyes to leave he stopped us and said “Keith and Susan, let me say a prayer for you guys before you go”.  On his near death bed - he prayed for us!  What a beautiful testimony of his life!

OBITUARY

Charles Curtis Ritchie, Jr.

October 25, 1953 – August 22, 2020

Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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