Jacob Marvin (Jake) Ritchey entered his eternal life on March 17, 2021, after having suffered a massive stroke. His family was by his bedside. Jake was born in Clarksdale on August 30, 1948, the only son of James Marvin Ritchey and Polie Marcia Rice Ritchey. President of the Student Body of Clarksdale High School, Class of 1966, he was graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1970 where he was president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After receiving his JD degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1972, he practiced law in Canton his entire career.
Preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jan Shackleford Ritchey, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jacob Marvin, Jr. and Ashley Murphy Ritchey of Palm Springs, CA; his grandchildren, Liam and London; sisters Sarah Ritchey Jordan (Jim) of Mechanicsville, VA; Linda Ritchey Shell (John) of Charlotte, NC; and Faye Ritchey Sokol (Hank) of Buffalo, NY. In addition, he leaves niece Sarah Jayne Jordan Switzer of Richmond, VA; nephew Justin Jordan of Leesburg, VA; nephew Blake Shell of Charlotte, NC; great niece and great nephew Taylor and Canon Jordan; great nephews Charley and Jake Shell, and numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews and friends.
Jake will be remembered for his quiet loving concern for others, his keen, dry wit, his intellect, his loyalty, his dependability, and his courtly manners.
A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Breeland Funeral Home in Canton, with visitation at 11:00 am followed by graveside services. Family members request that any memorials be given to a charity of choice, or to anyone in need.
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