Ray Ritenour

Ewing "Ray" Ritenour, age 82, passed away on March 14, 2026. Born in McNairy County, Tennessee, on November 29, 1943, he was the son of the late Thurman and Alice Mae Ritenour. Ray served his country for six years in the Air Force Reserve before embarking on a long career in the grocery business. On December 13, 1970, he married Sandra Marie Stapelton, and together they owned and operated Ray & Sandy's Big Star supermarket in Counce, Tennessee, where they became fixtures of the local community.

A man of faith and a member of First Baptist Counce, Ray had a legendary zest for life. He was an avid fisherman, serving as a member of the Pickwick Bassmaster’s and as a past president of the Shiloh Bassmaster’s. Ray and Sandy loved to travel, though every trip was famously planned around the next meal. He had a great passion for eating, and his family fondly remembers that nearly every photo of him captured him enjoying a plate of food. Above all, his world revolved around his loved ones and the joy of a good meal shared together.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Sandra Ritenour; his son, Bill Ray Ritenour and wife Charity of Counce; and his cherished granddaughters, Melissa Ritenour, and Samantha Ritenour, also of Counce. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, laughter, and many happy memories by the water.

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