Debbie Lynn Ritchie

Debbie Lynn Totty Ritchie, of Searcy, was born on June 11, 1959, in Fordyce, the daughter of Theda and Cecil Totty. She left this world for her heavenly home on March 25, 2026, at the age of 66.

Debbie graduated from Fordyce High School in 1977. The week following graduation, she married Donnie Ritchie, beginning a union that lasted until his death on June 4, 2024. Born to that union were sons, Clint and Matt. She cherished her role as a mother, but perhaps her proudest accomplishment was being “Nanaw” to her grandchildren.

Clerical work in multiple businesses in Fordyce and Sheridan marked Debbie’s career. Most notable was more than a decade in the Purchasing Department for Georgia-Pacific in Fordyce. After raising her children, Debbie enrolled in college with the goal of becoming a nurse, but a stroke in her first semester interrupted her plans. Following the stroke, watching television became her favorite pastime, particularly surgeries, the latest “true” crime stories, the Kansas City Chiefs, and golf.

Debbie entered into a personal relationship with Jesus as a teenager, and she was quick to speak of God’s goodness to her. She was a member at Temple Baptist Church in Searcy. While physically limited, Debbie’s commitment to her church was to attend faithfully, give sacrificially, and be an encourager to others. She was one to readily give to anyone in need.

In addition to her parents and husband, Debbie was preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne, Gene, and Gerald Totty, two sisters, Martha Park and Patsy Pinckard, and a great-niece, Jordan Hartpence.

Debbie is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Clint and Jennifer of McRae and Matt and Sirron of Mabelvale; and four grandchildren: Addison and Whitley of McRae and Caroline and Wyatt of Mabelvale. She is also survived by sisters Edith Totty of Fordyce, Marilyn Norman of Fordyce, Judy (Terry) Launius of Bearden, and Sandra Wilson of Fordyce, as well as a brother-in-law, C.A. (Kathi) Ritchie, of Willis, Texas, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce with funeral services following at 11:00 am with Dr. Wade Totty and Dr. Clint Ritchie officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Ground Cemetery in Hampton.

Serving as pallbearers will be Clay Totty, Jason Pinckard, Zach Launius, Terry Launius, Ernie Horstkamp, and Kevin Best.

The family requests that any wishing to make lasting memorials consider the Arkansas Baptist Children’s and Family Ministries (abcfm.org) or Gideons’ International (gideons.org).

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Providence Assisted Living, particularly Airon Wright, and Arkansas Hospice for their compassionate care.

Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net