Beverly Ann Ritter

BEVERLY ANN RITTER

1944 – 2026

On the evening of August 16, 2026, Beverly Ann Ritter peacefully departed this world with her son and daughter-in-law by her bedside. She was born on July 26, 1944, in New Orleans, and lived most of her life on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, except for fourteen years on the Northshore in Abita Springs and Covington, and during her service in the United States Navy, when she lived in Pensacola, Florida, and Norfolk, Virginia.

She was predeceased by her parents, Estelle Marie Bailey and John Alvin Ritter, Sr.; brothers John Alvin Ritter, Jr., Rudolph Joseph “R.J. ‘Tex’” Ritter, Sr., and Thomas Joseph Ritter; and nephews Todd David Ritter, Sr., and Benson John Ritter.

Beverly is survived by her beloved son, Frank Joseph Borne, Jr. and daughter-in-law Schlise Steib Borne; sister Melba Lee Ritter Weiss and brother John Wilfred Ritter (Gloria); nieces Nadine Ritter (Bill Ward), Gaynelle Weiss Triche (Frank), Leesa Weiss Krall (James), JoAnn Weiss Eaton (Kevin), Leslie Weiss Barber, Traci Ritter Henderson (Paul), and Alicia Ritter Breaux (Alvin); nephews R.J. Ritter, Jr. (Sheri), Gabriel C. Weiss, III (Darlene), and George A. Weiss (Wanda); cousin Lynn Kimsey Mandella; a host of great nieces, nephews, and cousins; her “co-madre” and beloved friend of fifty years Jeannie Vicknair Kuhn (Earl); and many loving friends and co-workers she met on the highway of life.

Those who knew Beverly best knew that nothing brought her greater pride than raising her son as a single mother. Equally meaningful to her, however, was her service to her country, having served in the U.S. Navy from January 1965 to December 1967 with the rank of Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class. She was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, following basic training in Pensacola, Florida. Until shortly before she passed, she vividly recalled her tenure in the Navy, often reminiscing about her roommates, especially Lucy Caulatti, her commanding officers, and the adventures that became cherished memories. With her sister, a veteran of the U.S. Army, she attended the dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, in 1997, along with thousands of other attendees. She and Melba often wore their military branch clothing when traveling, one U.S. Navy, and the other U.S. Army, and would point to the other and proclaim: “She went into the wrong branch!”

Following her service to her country, she returned to Jefferson Parish and embarked on a career in law enforcement, serving with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office from 1968 to 1980, and again from 1995 until 2007, where she worked as a fingerprint technician in the Bureau of Identification, a division which she eventually commanded under Sheriff Harry Lee, until her retirement. There, she made many longtime friends, including Kenneth Bourg, her “brother from another mother”, and often recalled good times with her sheriff’s office family. She was passionate about her work in fingerprint identification and its importance to the mission of law enforcement, and to the community at large, and was excited to tell family and friends about her job. From 1991 to 1995, while residing in Covington, she served as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. For a short time after retiring from JPSO, she served on the 24th Judicial District Court Jury Commission.

Her life’s journey to the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain included working at Forest Manor Nursing Home, Covington (1980-1983) and Time Saver #40, located on Claiborne Hill in Covington (1980-1991). For many years, she managed the Covington store, which had the greatest volume in the Time Saver franchise. TS40 earned several awards during her tenure as its manager. Her remarkable work ethic became one of the greatest gifts she passed on to her son, who witnessed firsthand the sacrifices his mother made to provide him every opportunity in life.

Love of learning was one of Beverly’s traits. In 2016, at the age of 72, she achieved a lifelong goal to complete her education, graduating summa cum laude from the University of New Orleans with a bachelor's degree in Romance Languages. Foreign languages had been a passion of hers since she was a student at West Jefferson High School, Harvey, where she graduated with honors with the Class of 1962. After high school, she graduated from Soulé Business College in New Orleans. She was fluent in Spanish and enjoyed the culture and its food, music, poetry, and prose. Beverly also was able to speak Italian, French, Portuguese, and German.

Beverly was an avid traveler, having embarked on many Royal Caribbean cruises with her sister and family touring Europe, New England, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean, and South America. In later years, with her sister and their friends, who were a group informally known as “Fuller’s Fillies”, she traveled to fan gatherings across the U.S. to meet actor Robert Fuller, of television Western and “Emergency” fame and other Western TV icons.

Beverly was a member of and/or supporter of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Wounded Warrior Project, and other organizations dedicated to assisting U.S. veterans and law enforcement. She also was a staunch advocate of blood donation, and regularly donated blood throughout her life until a few years before she passed.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties of raising her son as a single mother, Beverly never allowed hardship to define her. She often said that she was the lucky one to have the son she did. Those who knew them, however, understood that the good fortune flowed both ways. Her son was equally blessed to have a mother of unwavering determination, boundless love, and extraordinary strength. Through sacrifice, tireless work, and an unshakable belief in providing him every opportunity possible, she built a life marked by service, integrity, and perseverance. Of all her accomplishments—as a veteran, law enforcement professional, scholar, traveler, and friend—the role she treasured above all others was being his mother.

In her final years, Beverly succumbed to Alzheimer’s. The illness rapidly stole the independence she had treasured throughout her life and dimmed memories of the adventures that had defined her. Yet it never diminished the kindness, dignity, and quiet strength that those who loved her continued to see every day. Her family continues to remember her spirit and life experiences, and strives to emulate her. Beverly will be remembered as a devoted mother, proud veteran, respected law enforcement professional, lifelong learner, loyal friend, and woman of determination. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched through her service, generosity, humor, and her unwavering unconditional love for her son and daughter-in-law.

Her family will remain forever grateful for the compassionate and extraordinary care provided by the staff of the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve, as well as the outstanding doctors and nurses with Serenity Hospice, whose kindness and devotion brought comfort and dignity to Beverly during the final chapter of her extraordinary life.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service in the chapel of Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expwy, Harvey, LA on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 11am. Visitation will be held Friday morning from 9am until 11am. Interment, Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Family and friends can view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com.