Gloria Nichols Ritter McCord

Gloria Nichols Ritter McCord, 86, of Memphis, Tenn., passed away after a brief illness on Monday, February 7th, surrounded by her family. She was born on July 8, 1924 to parents Ethel and Peter Nichols in New Haven, Conn. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Everett T. Nichols. Gloria had planned to become a registered nurse and attend nursing school at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. However, during her sophomore year at Goucher College, she met the love of her life, Louis Ritter, Jr., a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, and her plans changed. After graduating from Goucher College with a degree in physiology, they married and later settled in Marked Tree, Ark. where they spent 25 wonderful years together raising four daughters. After Louis' death in 1971, Gloria continued to make her home in Marked Tree, raising their four daughters and remaining active in community volunteer activities and projects. She was a faithful and active member of the First United Methodist Church, where she served on numerous committees. She was the first woman elected to the Marked Tree School Board, the first woman Chair of the Board of Marked Tree Bank, and the first woman to serve on the St. Francis Levee District Board. After the death of her husband, Charles McCord, to whom she was married for five years, she moved to Trezevant Manor and became involved in the community there. Among other things, she served on the Altar Guild for Allen Morgan Health Center, served as a Lector in St. Edward Chapel, and sang in the Chapel choir. But Gloria was most known and loved for her gentle, kind spirit and compassion and her beautiful smile. She had a unique ability to discover the best in others and to point it out to them. Her family was the pride and joy of her life. She maintained a curiosity about life that enabled her to see it as a daily adventure. As a consequence, she loved life and lived it fully, well, and faithfully to the very end. The world was blessed by her presence. Gloria is survived by her four daughters; the Rev. Robin (Dan) Hatzenbuehler of Memphis, Tenn., Randi (Mike) Wilder of Burlington, N.C., Ronda (Steve) Ray of Jacksonville, Ala., and Rynnett (Wayne) Clark of Conway, Ark.; her 10 grandchildren, Jennie Wilder Kristiansen (Erik) of North Carolina, Dr. Mark Louis Hatzenbuehler of New York, Dr. Katy Wilder Schaaf (Matthew) of Virginia, William Louis Ray of New York, Liz Hatzenbuehler Hibler (Matt) of Colorado, Lori Leanne Ray of Illinois, John Michael Wilder (Audrey) of North Carolina, Julia Miles Wilder of California, Nichola Allyson Clark and Natalie Erin Clark of Arkansas; and one great-granddaughter, Eleanor Nichols Kristiansen of North Carolina. Visitation will be 10 a.m., Saturday, February 12th at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Memphis, Tenn., followed by the service at 11 a.m. A reception will be held at Trezevant Manor at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Trezevant Manor Foundation, Memphis, Tenn., or to the First United Methodist Church, Marked Tree, Ark. Private burial will take place in Marked Tree, Ark. at a later time.