John David Ritchie, age 72, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, in Canton, Georgia.

Born on May 20, 1953, in Blue Ridge, Georgia, he was the son of the late Audlee Ritchie and Ellen Marie Dilbeck Ritchie.

John was a man of deep faith and a dedicated member of Harmony Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, where he cherished both fellowship and worship. He also served as Pastmaster of Blue Ridge Lodge #67 F&AM. For many years, John worked as a truck driver with the Fannin County Road Department. An avid outdoorsman, John loved spending time in the mountains he called home, and especially gardening and farming. Above all, John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

John is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Kullen Rhodes; siblings, Tommy Junior Ritchie, Linda Underhill, Carol Baliles, Virginia Mathis, and Kathy Payne; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rev. Worth Chastain and Inez Chastain.

He is survived by his wife since 1987, Diane Chastain Ritchie; children, Misty Burnette (Marc) and Marshall Rhodes (Callie); grandchildren, Coleman Burnette (Hannah), Campbell Burnette, Cora Burnette, Cooper Burnette, Khalon Rhodes, and Ella Rhodes; siblings, Frances Hamilton (L.G.), Wanda Millsaps (Tommy), Roger Ritchie, Mary Mashburn (Dean), Doris Ritchie, and Lois Jones; many nieces, nephews, other family members, and dear friends.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Billy Ray Queen and Rev. Anthony Stonecipher officiating. Music was provided by the Harmony Baptist Church Choir and Britt and Mae Chastain. Interment followed in the Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic rites rendered by Blue Ridge Lodge #67 F&AM. The following served as pallbearers: Wesley Jones, Robert Ensley, Anthony Rymer, Don Millsaps, Tyler Jones, and Joe Mathis. Serving as honorary pallbearers were members of Blue Ridge Lodge #67 F&AM, Coleman Burnette, and Colt Chastain. The family visited with friends at the Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA on Saturday evening, December 27, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA was in charge of these arrangements.