DARLENE LAMAE RITCHIE THOMPSON

Darlene LaMae Ritchie Thompson, 76, departed this life quietly on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 after a lengthy illness. Darlene, a native of Broken Bow, Nebraska, grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After meeting the love of her life, she traveled the world eventually settling in Shreveport, Louisiana, then retiring to Donalsonville, Georgia and finally moving to Port Saint Lucie to be closer to her son, his wife and their children. Darlene is preceded in death by her mother Lila Doman Ritchie, father William "Buster" Ritchie, brother Billy Ritchie, all of Cheyenne, WY, her mother-in-law Cleo Anglin Thompson, father-in-law Rufus Thompson of Donalsonville, GA and her sister-in-law Judy Ritchie of Denver, CO. Those left to cherish Darlene's beautiful life are her loving husband of 58 years, Smith Edward Thompson, daughter and her husband, Sherry and Laurence Amberson, and son and wife Michele and Danny Thompson. She is also survived by her brother, Dick Ritchie and sister, Doris Lee Ritchie. Grandchildren, Danielle and Jason Stavropoulos, Brian Thompson and Erika Thompson and great grandchildren, Hali and Stella Stavropoulos. Her brothers-and sisters-in-law Aaron and Theresa Thompson, Wallace and Linda Thompson, Evelyn and Roy Lee, Tommy and Karen Thompson, Wayne and Marsha Thompson, Raymond and Wanda Thompson, Rex and Nancy Thompson, and Diane and Sol Dupriest also survive Darlene as do nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews too numerous to mention. Darlene devoted her life and love to her husband and children and, later in life, to their families. With a husband in the USAF, she learned to pack an entire household and move her family around the world without batting an eye. Darlene was an avid horse lover her whole life. Edward surprised her on her 60th birthday with a beautiful Arabian named Rio. Over the next several years she spent many hours riding Rio and spending time with him and his Shetland pony sidekick, Spirit. Brindle, the family terrier, often tagged along. Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5996 Hebrew Road, Donalsonville, GA on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 3:00 PM with visitation beginning at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Darlene's memory.