Leona "Big Momma" Skirvin Ritch Tilley Obituary (1929

Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of Mrs. Leona "Big Momma" Skirvin Ritch Tilley Mrs. Leona "Big Momma" Skirvin Ritch Tilley, age 85, of Madison, Indiana entered this life on September 1, 1929 in Warsaw, Kentucky. She was the loving daughter of the late, Louis H. and Stella Lewellen Skirvin. She was raised in Carroll County, Kentucky and attended school there. On September 8, 1948 Leona was united in marriage to John Claude "J.C." Ritch in Carroll County, Kentucky. This happy union of thirty four years was blessed to raise six daughters and three sons. J.C. and Leona made their home in Switzerland County for many years moving to Madison in 1972. Leona was employed with Grote Industries for twenty five years retiring in August 1991. After the death of J.C. on September 7, 1982 she was united in marriage to George Robert Tilley on July 7, 1989 in Bedford, Kentucky. This union lasted for twenty years with the death of George on November 18, 2009. For twenty years she attended New Hope Baptist Church and had attended Point of Grace Family Fellowship Church for the past 15 years. She enjoyed Bingo, puzzle books, listening to Christian music and being with her large family. Leona was lovingly cared for at Hickory Creek for the past nine years. Leona died on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at 5:20 a.m. at Hickory Creek of Madison in Madison, Indiana. Click Here for Funeral Service or Tribute Video A LOVING FAMILY Leona will be missed by her loving daughters, Rosalie Geyman and her husband, Mike of Madison, Indiana, Stella Kessler and her husband, Keith of Hanover, Indiana, Linda Geyman and her husband, Jim of China, Indiana, Dianna Smith and her husband, Jerome of Columbus, Indiana, Doris Johns of Greenfield, Indiana; her loving sons, Joe Ritch and his wife, Anita of Aurora, Indiana, Marvin Ritch of Madison, Indiana, Doug Ritch and his wife, Ramona of Carrollton, Kentucky; 24-grandchildren; 50-great grandchildren; 15-great great grandchildren; her loving sister, Thelma May of Eminence, Kentucky; her loving brothers, Calvin Skirvin of Knoxville, Tennessee, Louis Skirvin, Jr. of Madison, Indiana; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis H. and Stella Lewellen Skirvin, her first husband of thirty four years, John Claude "J.C." Ritch, died September 7, 1982, her second husband of twenty years, George Robert Tilley, died November 18, 2009, her daughter, Mary Ellen Pease, her grandchildren, Irvin Powers and Angie Ritch, her great grandchildren, Dakota McFadden and Alexis Ritch, her brothers, Raymond, Jeffrey, Theman and Clarence Skirvin. FUNERAL CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., by Pastor Josh Lewis at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Grandview Memorial Gardens, 9306 North US 421 near Madison, Indiana VISITATION Friends may call Monday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to Hickory Creek Activities Fund. Cards are available at the funeral home. Secure Payments To send a flower arrangement in memory of Leona "Big Momma" Skirvin Ritch Tilley, please click here to visit our sympathy store.