Minnie Juanita Ridgeway's Obituary

Name: Visitation
Start: 03/25/2021 06:00 PM
End: 03/25/2021 08:00 PM
Location: Bedford Funeral Home

Ms. Minnie Juanita Ridgeway, age 90 of Bedford, departed this life on Monday, March 22, 2021. She was born on March 1, 1931 to the late Perkins and Delilah C. Ridgeway in Mt. Sterling, Alabama. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers: James, Dewitt, Primus, Dolan, and Ben Ridgeway and three sisters: Carrie Allen, Velma Harding, and Edith Brown.

At an early age, Minnie, joined St. Johns CME Church in Mt. Sterling, Alabama. As a youngster she enjoyed running and playing basketball. She attended school in Choctaw, Alabama where she graduated from Choctaw Training School. She later settled in Bedford, Virginia after graduating high-school, and devoted herself to her career, working over 25 years as a cook at the Elks National Home and over 20 years as a dietary aide and housekeeper for Campbell Rest Home. She was the matriarch of her family raising numerous children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family friends. Known to most as Juanita, she was hard working and self-reliant; loved to cook, clean, and dance; never shied away from speaking her mind; and would give you the shirt off her back if you were in need.

She is survived by her five children, Willie, Robert, Roberta of Bedford, VA, Kevin of Rocky Mt., VA, and Wydell Ridgeway of Bedford, VA; eight grandchildren, Crispin Ridgeway of Bedford, VA, Melody Ridgeway of Lynchburg, VA, Robert Jones of Bedford, VA, Ebony Cole (Robert) of Midlothian, VA, Katron Jones of Bedford, VA, Shannon Ridgeway of Bedford, VA, Xavier Ridgeway (Danielle) of Martinsville, VA, and Kelsey Ridgeway of Rocky Mount, VA; seven great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Timbrook, Noah Pegues, Evan Cole, Riley Cole, Lyric Jones, Jayceon Ridgeway, and Kennedy Ezzell; and two sisters Arthalia Davis and Mildred Fuller of Bridgeport, CT.

When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you for a little while-

Please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years,

But start out bravely with a gallant smile;

And for my sake and in my name

Live on and do all things the same,

Feed not your loneliness on empty days,

But fill each waking hour in useful ways,

Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer

And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;

And never, never be afraid to die,

For I am waiting for you in the sky!

Funeral Services for Minnie Juanita Ridgeway

Visitation

March

Thursday

Bedford Funeral Home Chapel

1039 Rock Castle Rd., Bedford, VA 24523

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Graveside Service

March

Friday

Otterville Baptist Church Cemetery

1184 Otterville Rd, Bedford, VA 24523

Starts at 12:00 pm

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Minnie Juanita Ridgeway

Minnie Juanita Ridgeway's Obituary

Funeral Services for Minnie Juanita Ridgeway

Visitation

Graveside Service

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