Vermelle (Hemingway) Ritter

"A time to be born ..." Vermelle H. Ritter was born to the late Melvin and Ella Hemingway on August 13, 1942 in Bucksport, South Carolina. 

"A time to love..." Vermelle was joined in holy matrimony to David Gene Ritter on October 14, 1961 in New York, New York. 

"A time to embrace..." Vermelle received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at an early age. She was a dedicated member of Salem A.M.E. for nearly her entire life. She served the church faithfully as the First Vice and the Recording Secretary of the Women's Missionary Society, Steward, Usher, and Church School Scholar. 

"A time to get..." Vermelle was educated in the Public Schools of Horry County and graduated from Whittemore High School in 1957 at the age of 15. Afterward, she moved to New York City to pursue a career as a certified nursing assistant. 

"A time to build up..." Vermelle retired from New York Presbyterian after 35 years as a CNA and patient accounts representative. 

"A time to die... a time of peace..." Vermelle transitioned quietly at home, surrounded by loved ones on January 23, 2025. She departed in peace with the same faith in God that shaped her earthly life. 

"A time to mourn, and a time to dance ..." Vermelle's life has and will continue to have a tremendous impact on many lives. She was preceded to Heaven by her parents Melvin and Ella Hemingway, her son David Gene Ritter, Jr., her brothers Chapelle, Melvin, Lorenzo and Leonard, and her sisters Luella and Jeanwood. 

Vermelle leaves a legacy of love through her daughters Karen and Jean Ritter, her granddaughters Tiphané McCoy (Reginald Davis) and Tiandra Tidwell (Damien Floyd), her great-grandchildren Rayel and Raja Davis, and Caylee and Carmyn Floyd. She'll be missed by her beloved sisters, the "Golden Girls": Ruby Brown and Charity Hemingway and her sisters-in-law Ethel Mae Hemingway, Mae Nero, Annie M. Ritter, Martha Ritter, and Gwendolyn Wright and her brothers-in-law Abraham Ritter and Joe Ritter. 

She cherished her nieces Yvette Brown, Leah Brown Daniels, Tanya Hemingway, Kathy McCray, Angela Walker, Shannon Washington and Cornelia Williams. Also, she adored her nephews Ira Hemingway, Jonathan Hemingway, Leonard Hemingway, Jr., Orin Hemingway, Eric Owens, and Dion Young. Her goddaughters Yvette Moody and Inease Inmon and godson Dion Camacho will miss her dearly. Her best friend Peggy Camacho has been by her side for more than 50 years. 

Her memory will also be carried forward through her many great-nieces, nephews, friends, and the scores of loved ones who she's had a tremendous and immeasurable impact on.

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