Sara Raney Ridgway

Sara Raney Ridgway, 91, died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Sunday evening, July 14, 2013. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 17th, from 9:00 – 11:00AM at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, with the memorial service following at 11:00 AM.

Sara was born in Meridian, MS, October 12, 1921 to Hiram and Maude Raney, and was a granddaughter of William T. and Sara Margaret Raney and Ben F. and Melissa Eliza Williams. She was preceded in death by her brother, Dr. William A. Raney, and sister, Rose Sundstrom.

Educated in the Meridian Public Schools, Meridian Community College, MSCW, majoring in music and home economics, Sara met Charles Robert Ridgway, III while attending summer school at Millsaps. It was love at first sight, and they were married six weeks later on September 18, 1942. Rob fondly recalls her father telling him that she was the sweetest girl he would ever know, and Rob claims that she still was after 71 years of marriage!

Following her marriage, Sara joined Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church where Rob’s grandfather Lewis had been one of the first ministers. Over the years she was very actively involved in Galloway – teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, playing the piano for the Ben Fatherree Class, president of the Alter Guild, president of the United Methodist Women, member of the Bethlehem Center Board and chairman of the landscaping committee.

Sara’s community involvement included serving on the YWCA board as President, the Salvation Army Auxiliary Board, the Arlington Garden Club, the Junior Book Review Club and The Monday Luncheon Club.

Her life was best seen through her gifts of service and encouragement to others. She enhanced the lives of those around her with her gifts, her flowers, her cooking, her music and her time and she spent her life encouraging others, every family member and every friend. Her life gave great joy to all that were around her. She and Rob spent many happy times traveling around the country and around the world. She was reluctant to leave this life for fear of missing seeing the many great things that would be accomplished by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sara is survived by her husband, Rob and their “beautiful” family:

Four children: Sara Ridgway Running and husband Rodger; Charles Robert Ridgway, IV and wife Naomi; Rose Marie Ridgway Walden; and Richard Lewis Ridgway and wife Melissa.

Eleven grandchildren: Frances Ridgway Ray and husband Chuck; Sara Ellen Ridgway Lokey and husband Bryce; Julia Ridgway Becking and husband Mark; Charles Robert Ridgway, V and wife Brittany; Natalie Rose Walden Pinter and husband Eric; Raney Marie Walden Tyler and husband Hal; Arthur Ridgway Walden; Richard Lewis Ridgway, Jr. and wife Claire; Caroline Ridgway Hogan and husband Reed; Samuel Grant Ridgway and wife Lauren; and Anna Bess Ridgway

Eleven great-grandchildren: Anthony Ray, Amanda Ray, Richard Lewis Ridgway, III, Jack Ridgway, Faver Ridgway, Dendy Hogan, Millie Hogan, Raney Hogan, Maizie Hogan, Gracie Lokey, John David Becking, and Stephen Becking.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Emma Williams and all of the Merry Heart Sitters for the kind and diligent care they provided. We are also indebted to Dr. George Patton and the Sta-Home visiting staff.

In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, 305 N. Congress St., Jackson, MS 39201, or Millsaps College, 1701 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39210. Online guestbook www.wrightferguson.com