After an extended illness Diane Ray Aldridge of Birmingham died at home March 21, 2021. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Mark Aldridge.
A Celebration of the Resurrection service will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham. Due to the pandemic, and to observe social distance, please request a Zoom link via email from: [email protected] to participate. The Reverend Terry Hamilton-Poore and the Reverend Dr. David Jicka will be officiating.
Diane Ray Aldridge was born on May 19, 1949, in Troy, AL. Her father, Joe “Rip” Ray, served in Europe during World War II and later was in the appliance repair and hardware business in Brundidge, AL. Diane’s mother, the former Ila Frances Wilson, was a homemaker. Both preceded her in death.
After graduating from Pike County High School, Diane enrolled in Troy University. After completing her bachelor’s degree in three years, Diane moved to Birmingham. She was employed by the Social Security Administration. She arrived in 1970 as a Benefit Authorizer Trainee and retired in 2008 as a Deputy Section Chief at the Southeastern Program Service Center.
She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham. Diane was a volunteer worker at the First Light Women’s Shelter, the Southeastern Diabetes Fun Walks/Runs, and the Birmingham Bicycle Club’s Annual Century Rides. She also belonged to the Inverness Lions Club and later the Hoover Lions Club.
She married Mark Aldridge in 1981 at First Presbyterian Church. She is also survived by many aunts and cousins in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the early 2000’s Diane discovered bicycling. It led to riding in many 100-mile+ charity events including the MS150 and the Birmingham Bicycle Club’s Annual Century Challenge. She and Mark went on bicycling trips to various places including Valencia in Spain, Lake Louise in Canada, and the Southern Alps in New Zealand.
In addition, Diane was certified as an indoor cycling instructor at the Mountain Brook YMCA. She taught the 5:30 a.m. class twice weekly for 14 years until April 2019. Her joyful classes incorporated her lifelong love of blues music and fitness.
Diane also found delight when she took up painting in the 20-teens. Using oil, watercolor, and other media she developed a previously unknown talent for painting landscapes, animals, and abstracts.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, First Light Women’s Shelter, Birmingham YMCA, or a charity of your own choosing.
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