Nadine Ritz

Nadine Ritz

March 21, 1939 – February 1, 2025

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 - KJV)

Nadine Ritz was born in Benton County, Mississippi on March 21, 1939 to Walter Palmer Graves and Lidie Estelle Gary Graves. She was raised in Memphis, Tennessee by a mother who knew the importance of a personal relationship with God and a deep trust, that He would faithfully carry her through anything that life brought her way. This faith in God carried Nadine all the way through her 85 years to this morning, February 1, 2025, when she passed quietly in her home.

Nadine graduated from high school in Memphis, Tennessee. She married and had two children, Rickey and Anita. In 1965 the family moved to Abilene, Texas and settled on the south side of Abilene. Following her mother’s example, Nadine always had her kids in church. She attended Belmont Baptist Church and was a longtime member of Wylie Baptist Church, where in either place, the doors opened and closed with Nadine and her kids in tow. She sang in the choir, sang solos, taught vacation bible school, cooked meals and served in any capacity she could, because she loved the Lord, loved His people and was called to that purpose. Nadine loved flowers and gardening. Her yard was always perfectly manicured with beautiful flowers and shrubbery which was her act of praise proclaiming the glory of God’s creation. She taught her kids to love and trust the Lord in everything, even doing simple tasks around the house, like washing dishes and drying them while singing favorite hymns. Anita and Richard call them “Dishwashing Hymns” which are very special to us, because our Mom taught us those hymns. All these things added up and is what keeps us in the faith which saw our family through everything.

Life drastically changed for her family in 1975, Nadine had to go to work to support her family. She went to work for Dr. Stanton Barron at Pediatric Associates, where she was the office receptionist for over 25 faithful years. A testament to her work ethic, professionalism and Christian love is; that no matter where you go in Abilene, parents, now in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s will still remind us of Nadine’s kindness and love as she helped them schedule doctor appointments, questions for the doctor, prescription requests, and emergency calls for their children. Nadine worked hard, even working on weekends to make extra money for her family, but also, because she loved people, and anyone she met knew it.

As Nadine was beginning to be blessed with grandchildren, it was God’s timing for her to meet and marry Werner Ritz in 1986. Their union was a special gift, which brought more members into Nadine’s family and a husband who was not only a loving and caring mate for Nadine, but also an instant father and grandfather, who helped Nadine love and care for their mutual growing family. Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easters, birthdays and all kinds of festive events were celebrated at the Ritz residence, where Nadine (Nana), would cook incredible meals to the delight of her large loving family. We all shared special times of raucous laughter, an abundant outpouring of love and far too much good food. 

We look back, and we know God had a purpose He was fulfilling in all our lives through His servant, Nadine Ritz. From a move from Tennessee to Texas, to raising two kids alone. She trusted God with every hardship, she continued to sing and praise God daily for His blessings, knowing that no matter what, God loved us, He would provide for us and see us through. She touched countless people’s lives. We were all blessed just by knowing and being loved by this wonderful sweet servant of our Lord Jesus.

Nadine was preceded in death by her father, Walter Palmer Graves, her mother, Lidie Estelle Graves, her sisters, Maxine Brown and Vernice Liming, Vernice’s husband, Earl Liming, her niece, Sandra Jerden, and her loving husband, Werner Ritz.

Nadine is survived by her son, Richard Burke and her daughter, Anita Beal. Their spouses, Pauline Burke and Terry Beal. Werner’s daughters: Monica Baca, Heidi Ritz, Lisa Ferrell. Eleven grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren who all love her dearly and they know she loved them dearly.

Funeral Service will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Wylie Baptist Church, officiated by John Fanning and Mike Harkrider. A private interment will be at Elmwood Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Bailey Beal, Brady Beal, Hunter Beal, Joshua Sams, Evan White, Carson Beal, Tyler Driskill, and honorary pallbearers Clyde McMinn, Mark Reeder.

The family would like to thank Dr. Keith Robinson, Shannon Palone (PA), Dr. Udaya Swarna, Dr. Timothy Bumann and her caregiver, Nina Quesada with Visiting Angels for their compassionate care of Nadine. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Wylie Baptist Building Fund.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 - KJV)