Rev. Albert Fritter

Date published: 2/3/2004

Rev. Albert Fritter

The Rev. Albert Nelson Fritter, 85, passed away at the Heritage at Cedarfield Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004.

He was born and raised in Garrisonville in Stafford County. He was a graduate of Stafford High School, Randolph-Macon College in Ashland and the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Atlanta, Ga., where he received a master's of divinity degree. He also did graduate work for a master's of science degree in Rehabilitation for the Visually Handicapped at Virginia Commonwealth University and at Oklahoma University.

As an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, he served in various localities, including Powhatan, Heathsville, Colonial Beach, Loudoun County, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Richmond, Norfolk, Staunton and Petersburg.

While serving as a pastor of the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church in Loudoun County, he received an award for the outstanding rural church in Virginia. In 1967, he was given a special appointment to work for the Virginia Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.

He became assistant state director for Vocational Rehabilitation Services in 1977. For his outstanding work, he received the Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped Counselor of the Year Award, the State of Virginia Elkins Award and the Mid-Atlantic Region Elkins Award.

He retired from the Virginia Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped and the United Methodist Church on March 31, 1983.

He is survived by his wife, Stella Smith Fritter; his son, Albert N. Fritter Jr., and daughter-in-law, Betty; his grandson, Christopher N. Fritter; two sisters, Christine F. Dent and Barbara F. Duffy, both of Stafford; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His remains rest at Bliley Funeral Home's Staples Mill Chapel, 8510 Staples Mill Road, where there will be a visitation after 1 p.m. Tuesday. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond. The Rev. John Peters, senior minister of Trinity United Methodist Church, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a favorite charity.

Date published: 2/3/2004