Ella Faye Ritter

Ella Faye (Bellamy) Ritter passed from this earth and was admitted by God into heaven on January 2, 2016.  She was greeted by her parents and four brothers.

Faye was born on a tobacco farm in the community of Longs, SC on June 6, 1936.  She was a woman of love, compassion, and inclusion.  She never spoke badly of anyone, was always helpful and was generous to a fault.  Faye regularly attended the Methodist church in her small SC community along with her parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  As an adult she was active in various church programs in numerous communities where she lived.  Prior to her death she was the devotional leader at Park Place Nursing Home for the Belton United Methodist Church outreach program where she had been a supporting member for several years.  She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi, was a member and held leadership positions in chapters in Tomah, WI and San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Temple, TX.

Faye was a voracious reader having read hundreds, if not thousands, of books.  She was entertained by the story line but also enjoyed the way in which the author crafted words into sentences.  She read the world’s most popular book, the Holy Bible, from cover to cover and classics such as Gone With the Wind on multiple occasions.   She motivated, by example, both sons to become avid readers.  Travel was anther passion.  Faye travelled to all but four of the fifty states and to many countries in Europe as well as the countries of Canada and Mexico.

One of Faye’s many passions was her large extended family.  Growing up, twelve aunts and uncles and sixty first cousins, all living within close proximity, provided adult supervision and instant playmates.  She thought of each of them as her own parents or brothers and sisters.  In her travels she often stopped to visit an aunt, uncle, or cousin.  She enjoyed the large family gatherings and was a catalyst in organizing reunions when she believed one was needed.

Faye was a wonderful wife and great mother.  She is surviv ed by her husband of fift y-six years Howard Dale and their two sons and families; Michael Dale and wife Thirza Jane and grandchildren Tristan Adam, Abigail Grace, Ella Catherine, and Anna Elizabeth, all of Houston and by Gregory Paul and granddaughter Joy Niko of Austin.

Her parents were Robert Llewellyn Bellamy and Claudie Belle (Cox) Bellamy.  She had nine brothers and two sisters. She is survived by two sisters, Mary Evelyn Panecki, who lives in Longs and Emma Jean Goodman who lives in Kershaw, SC.  Surviving bothers and spouses are George Robert and Shirley of Columbus, GA. Carlisle Llewellyn and Laverne, of Longs, Marshall Wayne and Judy of Longs, William Dott and Maxine and John Hardin (Sonny) and Tammy of Loris, SC. ---. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers; Ralph Roosevelt, James Olin and infant twins John Taylor and Jack Walden.

Dossman Funeral Home in Belton is in charge of arrangements.  The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 5 th from 6:00 pm – 8:00pm.   The funeral will be held at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton on Wednesday, January 6 th at 11:00 am.