Gloria Gray Coleman Rittenhouse

October 29, 1934 - May 15, 2024

Gloria Gray Coleman Rittenhouse, 89, of Grottoes, VA passed on to her eternal home on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at her home.

Born October 29, 1934 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Gloria was the only child of the late John Gilbert and Ruby Shiflett Coleman. She lived her early years in Pennsylvania and at the age of eight moved to the Harriston area of Grottoes where she lived until her death. On May 20, 1955, she was united in marriage to William “Mack” Rittenhouse. They shared 68 wonderful years together.

She devoted her life to Jesus, family, and friends. She was a member of South River Fellowship (formerly Harriston United Methodist Church) where she served many roles including Lay Leader. Gloria and Mack enjoyed life to the fullest and loved family vacations and taking bus trips with “55 Alive” organized by their sister-in-law Bessie Rittenhouse. In 1996 Gloria organized the Shifflett Family Reunion held each Labor Day Weekend that brings family members from Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Missouri together. She enjoyed playing board games, especially Aggravation, Chicken Foot, and attending sporting and celebration events with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed applebutter making and canning from the gardens she and Mack planted every year, sharing vegetables and fruits with many families and friends. She had a deep passion and talent for embroidery and quilting, leaving a legacy of her quilts made for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as graduation gifts, including those graduating in the future.

Gloria loved to bake. She was known for her “Granny Rolls” that graced thousands of tables at Christmas and Easter. She annually baked her delicious pecan pies for holidays and also for her pastor and the birthday of an extended family member.

Survivors include her sons, Coley Rittenhouse (Wanda), Dallas Rittenhouse (Sherri), and daughter, Tracey Moyer (Richard), all of Grottoes. She was “Granny” to eight grandchildren - Amanda Lucian (Steve), Emily Holloway (Andrew), Amy Barnhart (Jamey), Chris Moyer (Laura), Holly Moyer (fiancé Daniel), Natalie Wheeler (companion Nicholas), Heather Thomas (Justin) and Cole Moyer (Cedrice). She was also “Granny” to nine great-grandchildren - Hunter and Landon Barnhart; Delanee Holloway; Kaitlyn, Samuel, Oliver, and Amelia Moyer; Jordan Sprouse; Aria Thomas; and two great-granddaughters due this summer.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Frances Whitmire of Harrisonburg, her brother-in-law Robert “Bobby” Rittenhouse (Bessie) of Afton, and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, William and Rosa “Elza” Rittenhouse.

The family will receive friends Sunday, May 19th, from 4 to 6 pm at Johnson Funeral Service located at 201 Dogwood Ave., Grottoes, VA or at her home any time.

A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held, 10:00 am Monday, May 20th, also at Johnson Funeral Service in Grottoes with burial following at Edgewood Cemetery, Rockfish Road, Weyers Cave, VA 24411

Memorial contributions can be made to South River Fellowship, POB 343, Grottoes, VA 24441 and the Grottoes Volunteer Fire Dept., POB 68, Grottoes, VA 24441.