Margaret Ritter Hearn

Margaret Ritter Hearn, 81, of Jonesboro, GA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 31st. She died from the rare disease called Wegener's Vasculitis. She was predeceased by her husband, John (Bob) Hearn, her parents Ruth and Herman Ritter and her brothers John, Robert, & Jimmy Ritter and her sister Mary Ritter. Marge was born in Walhalla, South Carolina. She loved school and excelled at math and graduated high school with honors, was a member of the BETA Club and wanted to join the Air Force upon graduation. She was inspired to join the Air Force by her Aunt Cricket who was a Colonel in the Air Force and was in charge of all the nurses. However, back then, if you were a woman, your parents had to sign for you to join the service if you were under the age of 21. Her parents would not sign for her so she got a job in the local drug store and the day she tuned 21 she went to the recruitment station and signed up. She served as an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force for 2 and a half years. During this time, she met her husband Bob Hearn, who was also an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force. After a whirlwind courtship of three months they married on June 5, 1953. Marge left the service to marry Bob. They were stationed together in many countries and US cities for 20 years. They had four children together. Marge was primarily a homemaker but she worked different jobs throughout her life. Early in their marriage, Marge did many odd jobs and later she worked for the US Census Bureau and was a licensed Real Estate agent. She was a firm believer that it was important for all women to get in enough hours to collect social security because you never know what the future held. She was smart, funny, and a loving mother, sister and friend. Upon retiring from the Air Force, the Hearns moved to Jonesboro. Marge's number one priority was to find a church for her family. After attending several churches she decided upon Faith United Methodist Church in Riverdale. Marge and Bob were members of that church 43 years and she served in many capacities while at the church. Her true devotion was to her family and church. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Linda Hearn O'Connor, Debbie & Charles Boyd, Steve and Debra Hearn , Stan & Gina Hearn, and grandchildren; Sarah, Jane, Maggie, Brittany, Steven, Sam, Carly, & Gregory. She is also survived by her brother Henry Ritter and sister Ann Donald. Visitation with the family will be Friday, August 3rd from 4-7 PM at Ford- Stewart Funeral Home in Jonesboro. The funeral service will be Saturday, August 4th at 11 AM in the chapel of Ford-Stewart Funeral Home. Flowers or a memorial to Faith United Methodist Church in Riverdale will be accepted.

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Margaret Ritter Hearn

January 27, 1931 - July 31, 2012