Garland Tate Ritter

Garland Ritter entered Heaven, his eternal home, on March 16, 2026 at the age of 94. He was born on July 25, 1931 in the Needham’s Grove Community to William “Willie” Walter and Flossie Williamson Ritter. 

Garland is survived by his son John W. Ritter, and John’s wife Andra “Carrie” Oliver Ritter and grandchildren Jack, Hallie and Joseph Ritter. The ninth of nine children he grew up in a house of love learning early the value of hard work. He was a member of Needham’s Grove Baptist Church and he attended the Needham’s Grove School from first to third grade; then he attended the newly built Westmoore School, where he played all sports and graduated high school in 1949. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 aboard the Attack Cargo Carrier USS Algol, AKA 54 and is a veteran of the Korean War and was also a part of the U.S. Navy’s Operation Passage to Freedom in Vietnam, a precursor to the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge in Long Beach, California, he and a Navy buddy drove a 1940 Ford, purchased by the friend, from California to South Carolina where Garland took a bus home to Robbins, NC. When Garland got home, he became the mail carrier for Route 2 Robbins from 1955 to 1989. During that time, he married Donarose Garner (deceased 2009), became a faithful member of Acorn Ridge Baptist Church, until his death, active in all the church’s endeavors and raised a family. 

When he retired in 1989 from the U.S. Postal Service, he did a few odd jobs to keep busy. He also turned pottery, worked on clocks, had fun with his grandchildren, enjoyed going out to eat and did his best to get along with people without compromising what was right. However, the most important thing he did was repent of his sins and accept Jesus Christ into his heart ensuring his eternal home in Heaven, and he hopes that you would as well. Well done, Garland Ritter. 

The family would like to thank Acorn Ridge Baptist Church and Needham’s Grove Baptist Church for their prayers and support. We would also like to thank First Health Hospice for the great help they were during this time. 

The family will receive friends at the home and at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2026 at Acorn Ridge Baptist Church before the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial, with Military Honors will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest making a donation to Acorn Ridge Baptist Church or First Health Hospice. 

“Where there is struggle, there is life.” Zig Ziglar 

“So long, be looking for you all.” Garland Ritter