Obituary for Elda Almeda Billings
BILLINGS – Elda Almeda (Ritchey), 94, Portage, PA, passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on November 15, 2018. She was born October 19, 1924, in Portage, the daughter of Clyde and Esther (Stombaugh) Ritchey. Preceeded in death by sisters – Lillian Lauffer, Marian Merrill, Norma Hough, Marlene Bolton, and Mona Grimes - and brother, Irvin Ritchey, an “adopted” daughter, Sylvia Thompson, and grandson, Jeremy Westberry.
Her surviving siblings are the Rev. J. Clyde Ritchey, Jr., Toccoa, GA, and Violet Knotts, Altoona, PA.
She is survived by her children: Robert, Portage, PA; Barry (Michelle), Portage, PA; Bonnie Westberry (Steve), Chambersburg, PA; Barbara, Wake Forest, NC; Bruce (Jeanne), Tallahassee, FL; and Beverlee, Portage, PA.
Elda was the proud Gram of Joel Billings, Portage, PA; Steve Westberry, II (Naomi), McConnellsburg, PA; Kelly Crosbie (Chris), Wake Forest, NC; Tracy Karwoski (Joe), Aliquippa, PA; Seth Westberry, Wilmington, NC; Mark Billings, Colorado; and, Jessica Ranjbari (Sam), Tallahassee, FL; and, she was “Aunt-Grammy” to and adored by her 13 great-grandchildren.
She married the love of her life, Clifford (Kelly) in 1946, and had been married 65 years at the time of his death in 2012. They renewed their marriage vows on their 50th Anniversary.
A devoted wife, mother, and homemaker she also worked, for many years, as a licensed beautician, for Guy Ciccotello’s shop in Portage; then, at age 52, she received her LPN license. Elda deeply loved the Lord, was a devoted prayer warrior, and faithfully supported world missions. She was one of the founding members of the Community Bible Church where she played piano, taught children’s Sunday School class, and helped with Awana’s and VBS until she was 86. One of her favorite verses was Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and My Redeemer.” Elda was, in many ways, a local missionary as she hosted Child Evangelism Fellowship 5-Day Bible clubs for neighborhood children in her yard for 40 years and led Bible studies for neighborhood women. For many years she was an active member of Concerned Women of American and the Eagle Forum, and was officially recognized by Eagle Forum for her work to remove pornography from local stores. She will be deeply missed by all her family and many friends who loved her dearly.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 8 PM on Sunday, November 18th at the Matthew R. Decort Funeral Home Inc. and from 10 AM until time of service at 11 AM on Monday at the Community Bible Church, 1756 Munster Road, Portage. Pastor Scott Manganella, officiant.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
18
Nov
4:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Decort Funeral Home
532 Main Street
Portage, PA 15946
Visitation
Monday
19
Nov
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
Community Bible Church
1756 Munster Road
Portage, PA 15946
Service
Monday
19
Nov
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Community Bible Church
1756 Munster Road
Portage, PA 15946
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