Carolyn Joyce (Nichols) Ritterbush

Carolyn Joyce (Nichols) Ritterbush, daughter of Eugene Foy and Vivian Irene (Venable) Nichols, was born on March 19, 1937, in a small two-story house in Beaver, Oklahoma, and passed into the arms of the Lord on May 27, 2026 at the age of 89.

Carolyn grew up in a loving Christian home on a homestead north of Forgan, Oklahoma, where she learned the value of hard work. She helped her parents with farming and the many daily chores that came with rural life. Growing up with her two brothers, Gary and Bill Nichols, meant plenty of noise, energy and more than a little roughhousing-but it also meant deep, lifelong family bonds.

Carolyn proudly graduated from Forgan High School with the Class of 1955 and went on to attend Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. After completing college, she returned home to Forgan and began working at the Telephone Company, beginning a long career marked by dedication and a strong work ethic.

On May 5, 1956, Carolyn married the love of her life, Kenneth Kay Ritterbush. Together they built a home full of laughter, lessons, and love, welcoming five beautiful-but admittedly ornery-children; Jeanne, Kristi, Kraig, Deanna and Angela. Carolyn’s children were truly the pride and joy of her life.

Throughout her life, Carolyn held several jobs and earned great respect everywhere she worked. She was known for her reliability, her commitment and her willingness to go above and beyond. But beyond any workplace, one of Carolyn’s deepest passions was her Church. She loved her Church family dearly and made it clear through her actions that serving the Lord was not just a priority-it was her calling.

Carolyn served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher for many years, teaching all ages with both patience and enthusiasm. She made sure her children were in church every Sunday and Wednesday, and she didn’t stop there-she would wake her household an hour early just to drive around town ad pick up the kids’ friends, determined that they, too, would have the chance to hear God’s word. Her faith was evident to anyone who met her. Carolyn witnessed to many in the community not only through her words, but through her everyday actions. She lived her faith openly, humbly and joyfully.

Carolyn’s greatest joy came from her family. She cherished every moment spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether she was gathered around a table playing card games-games she somehow always managed to win-or simply spending time together, she poured love into every relationship and every moment.

Though Carolyn is no longer with us physically, her spirit lives on in the lessons she taught us, the faith she modeled and the love she gave so generously. Carolyn was our rock, our confidante and the leader of our family. We will miss her deeply, but we take comfort in knowing she continues to lead us and light our way forward.

Her legacy is not just in the memories we hold, but in the lives she shaped-and in the faith she instilled that will carry us until we see her again.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth Ritterbush, her parents, her sweet daughter Deanna Ritterbush, brother Bill Nichols and wife Margaret, and grandson Cory Rash.

Carolyn is survived by her daughters Jeanne Ritterbush, Kristi Rash and her husband Jeff Rash, Angela Becerril and her husband Roberto Becerril, her son Kraig Ritterbush and his wife Brenda Ritterbush, 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, each of whom brought her immense joy and pride.