Lavern R. Ritter

Mr. LaVern Reece Ritter, 96, husband of June Pulaski Ritter, resident of Luray Highway in Hampton, SC, died late Tuesday night, May 26, 2026, in the Hampton Regional Medical Center in Varnville, SC.

Born March 12, 1930, in Miley, SC, Mr. Ritter was the son of the late Horace Norman Ritter and Piety Elizabeth Harvey Ritter. His mother passed away at an early age and LaVern grew up with his aunt, Mrs. Bill Thomas of Fairfax, SC. He graduated from Brunson High School in the class of 1947 and worked with the Hope House for 18 years. Mr. Ritter later retired from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture as a Consumer Specialist after 25 years of service. He served South Carolina National Guard for 36 years retiring as a Sergeant Major.

Mr. Ritter was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Varnville, SC where he enjoyed working on many church committees; especially the property committee at both Hampton and Varnville Baptist Churches where he was named Property Chairman Emeritus. He served as a deacon at both Hampton and Varnville First Baptist Churches and was a member of the Railroad Sunday School class at Varnville First Baptist. In addition to his church capacities, Mr. Ritter also was a Mason, Shriner, and Gideon.

Mr. Ritter is survived by his wife of 73 years, June Pulaski Ritter, of the home; his daughter, Ann Ritter Barwick (Al); his grandson, Bryan Barwick (Shanna); 5 great-grandchildren: Catherine, Sophia, Bridgett, Rochelle, and Paisley, all of Aiken, SC. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Pat H. Pulaski and Lennie J. Ritter as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a brother, H. N. Ritter, Jr.; two sisters, Juanita R. Wood and Helen R. Jones. In the Thomas family, he was predeceased by four brothers, Guy Odis Thomas, Wilber Thomas, G. M. Thomas, and George Thomas, and three sisters, Barbara T. Brandt, Thelma Clark, and Tyree Thomas.

Funeral Services will be 2 PM Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the Varnville First Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Kelly, Jr. and Rev. Aaron Winn. Burial will follow in the Hampton Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 1 PM and last until the hour of the service in the church sanctuary.

Pallbearers will be Ritt Ritter, Mark Ritter, Douglas Smith, Kenneth Corbin, Marvin Murdaugh, Wesley Gravelle, Danny Lee, Michael Smith, and Don DeLoach.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that those who wish send memorials to the Hampton Cemetery Association, c/o Linda O'Quinn, 402 Shaw Dr., Hampton, SC 29924 or the Hampton Animal Shelter, 460 Cemetery Rd., Varnville, SC 29944.

Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home is assisting the Ritter family during this time.