Erna Ritchie Pattillo

Erna Ritchie Pattillo

On August 11, 2020, the gates of Heaven opened wide welcoming Erna Ritchie Pattillo. Erna was born on August 26, 1929 to Marvin Ritchie and Matilda Jane Baker Ritchie. She surprised the world by being a twin. Erna was raised in rural Gonzales County along with her siblings. She graduated from Nixon High School in 1947.

Following high school, she began her career as a seamstress at the Tailor Shop in Nixon. In 1949 she left her job in Nixon to move to Washington D.C. to help welcome her first nephew into the world. While there, she worked at Bolling Field. Also, while there she was named Cherry Blossom Queen. Following her brother-in-law’s discharge from the military, she returned to Nixon and her job at the Tailor Shop. She also began her entrepreneurship as a seamstress taking on sewing jobs in the evenings. In 1955 she met the love of her life, Otis Scott Pattillo.

They spent many nights dancing at the local dance halls. On October 10, 1957 they were married at First Baptist Church of Nixon. Following the wedding, they moved to San Antonio where Otis Scott was working. She worked full time as a seamstress, sewing for the elite families of San Antonio and various organizations. She and Otis Scott raised wolf dogs which they showed all over the United States. She also became an avid bowler. From San Antonio they moved to Austin where she continued her sewing career making uniforms for the University of Texas twirlers as well as making intricate wedding gowns for many people. There was not a garment that she could not make. No pattern was necessary for her to create masterpieces.

Upon Otis Scott’s retirement, they returned to Nixon where she continued her sewing career. She also took care of her aging parents. She and Otis Scott became deeply involved in the ministry at First Baptist Church in Nixon. She loved working with both children and adults. She took many children to church camp and touched many lives through GA’s. She was also very involved with Texas Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief Team, even travelling overseas to foreign countries to help with clean-up and childcare. Erna and Otis Scott had the opportunity to travel many places, and her twin sister, Erma and her husband accompanied them many times as well.

 Erna and Otis were never blessed with children of their own but treated all of their nieces and nephews as their own. The doors of their home were always open for any of them to visit whether it be for the day, weekend, or weeks at a time. She had a special bond with all of the family and was there any time anyone needed her. Following the loss of Otis Scott, she moved in with Erma where they spent many hours playing scrabble, working word puzzles, and counting their blessings. She was always amazed by all of her blessings and how many of them were shared with her twin sister. Erna was preceded in death by her parents; Marvin Clyde and Matilda Jane Ritchie, husband; Otis Scott Pattillo, sister; Nola Jane Ritchie Patteson Cox, and brother; Kenneth Marvin Ritchie. Left to cherish her memory are her twin sister; Erma Ritchie Miles, brother;  Wilson Orestes Ritchie, and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Finch Funeral Chapel in Nixon, Texas. 

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday, August 15, 2020

10:00am

Finch Funeral Chapel, Nixon

Burial will follow at Union Valley Cemetery. Reverend Marvin Miles will officiate. Serving as Pallbearers are Larry Miles, Wilson Ritchie, Dennis Patteson, Paul Ritchie, Mark Ritchie, and Mike Baker. Honorary Pallbearers are Walter Beard, Zachary Miles, Jack Aaron Miles, and Miles Svoboda. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Texas Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief Team, 5351 Catron, Dallas, Texas 75227 or First Baptist Church of Smiley, 108 FM 108, Smiley, Texas 78159. You are welcome to sign the online guestbook at www.finchfuneralchapels.com. Services in care of Finch Funeral Chapel, LLC.