Gaye Ritchie

Gaye Louise Ritchie, of Ocean Springs MS, best known as “Mom” departed her loving family on December 13th 2022.

Gaye was born on November 23rd, 1944 to Carl and Bessie Sculley. She was preceded in death by both parents, brother Jimmy Wiest and grandson Malik Mader. She is survived by her sister Carla Owens and brother Wayne Sculley.

Gaye and her husband, Lloyd Ray Adkins raised their three children Carl Ray Adkins, Cara Vickers, and Colleen Mowrey with love and devotion in West Chester, PA. After Lloyd’s passing Gaye remarried to Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Ritchie, gaining step daughter Nina Ritchie.

When Gaye’s children were young, the phrase “stay-at-home-mom” didn’t exist. It was usual for women to stay home with the children while their husbands worked. But even by the standards of the era, Gaye was an exceptional wife and mother. She cared deeply for her family and friends. She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was. And she did it with style. Our mother inspired us to always add style and beauty into all that we have done and will do. Ok and maybe a bit of sarcastic humor here and there too. But most of all our mother taught us we were magical, everything is within your power, and your power is within you.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Carl Ray Adkins (Candy), Cara Vickers (Jeff), and Colleen Mowrey (Lance) and her grandchildren Courtney Cummings Cubbage (Eric), Caitlin Cummings, Christa Cummings, and Madelyn Mader.

She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

For our mother,

The Topazes Mystic

The past echoes from the southern skies

Ruled by Jupiter loved by Jove

The star child of Sagittarius falls to earth

She grew wild as the wandering wild red rose

Bare foot and free she dances with the wind

She grew stronger with each passing day

Days of chasing rainbow and sweet lullaby’s

Days of laughter days of tears

Filled with secrets and innocent dreams

The fable tale she had yet to read

With each turning page day dances with night

Twain eternal tempering twilight

Hallow is the moon waning to loves first kiss

All sorts of young suitors came to call

And within each of their hands lye a tariff

Shinny coins gold and silver, tin and brass

One by one tossing wishes in reflecting water

But only one will touch the temperance heart

Chills of passion fires of desires

Perfection of blending fire and water

Igniting the hearth that warms our home

Iron skillet and green glass jars she sips her tea

Centaur mother in her kitchen life

Peering out the window to the little girl

The little girl that once was me

You are the melody to my life’s song

Bubble gum refrain we all sing along

Sometimes a ballad or we dance a jig

Cuddles for blues back when I was a kid

Rhapsody reprise tutors the soul

Encore after encore for the Topazes Mystic

Iridescent rainbows splitters of light

A carpet of stars that dazzles this life

Sharp-witted and brass then tender and sweet

Weaving her wisdom, we snuggle in deep

A quilt of attics a mosaic of journeys

I keep the recites of time well spent

My heart full of love and a crown for my muse

Drink up this life you got nothing to lose

From girl to maiden mother to goddess

All the critics agree this is the greats show

You will ever see

Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County is serving the family.