Margaret J. Ridgeway

On November 30, 2021, Margaret Houff Johnson Ridgeway of Staunton, the daughter of the late Raymond and Mae Johnson of Mt. Sidney, left her earthly family to join with her Heavenly one. Mrs. Ridgeway was born on August 21, 1924 and grew up in Mt. Sidney. She graduated from Mt. Sidney High School and then attended Bridgewater College for two years before getting married on November 28, 1946.

Mrs. Ridgeway was preceded by her daughter, Lissie Jean Ridgeway Driver, as well as her husband Jesse, who died in 2015. She is survived by her children, Donna Yonce and her husband Richard, her daughter Carol Ridgeway, her son Jerry Ridgeway and his wife Kathy, and her daughter Kathy Blackwell, and her husband James. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren with more on the way.

Mrs. Ridgeway was actively involved in the life of Linden Heights Baptist Church, where she and Jesse were among its earliest members. At Linden Heights, she taught children’s Sunday School, sang a beautiful soprano in the church choir, and chaperoned many summer church trips to Eagle Eyrie Baptist Assembly Camp and summer work camps. She especially enjoyed the music provided by the children’s choirs of the church.

Mrs. Ridgeway was a busy homemaker, making a number of dresses for her daughters over the years, and was busy all summer long canning and freezing vegetables from the garden. She also canned and froze many quarts of peaches (a favorite at fellowship suppers at the church) and made grape, blackberry, and raspberry jelly along with strawberry preserves each summer. Despite all this activity, she was never too busy to help anyone who needed it.

The family would like to thank the caring, supportive, loving staff at Brightview Baldwin Park for providing such wonderful care to this wonderful woman. We would also like to thank mom’s special caregiver, Linda Frye, for her patient, kind, and loving care.

Family and friends of Margaret will be celebrating her life with an outdoor funeral conducted graveside at Lebanon Church of the Brethren in Mt. Sidney at 1:00 p. m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Seating will be available.

Arrangements are being handled by Henry Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.henryfuneralhome.net