Ruth was a native of Portsmouth, VA, born to the late Joseph T. and Ruth A. (Diggs) Boone. She was united in marriage to the late Larry Lewis Ridley, Sr., for 47 years when he departed this life. To this union were born Melanie (Ridley) Arce and Larry Ridley Jr. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Ruth was educated in the Portsmouth Public Schools System. She was a member of Cradock High School’s Class of 1970 and attended Norfolk State University. She worked in various career paths throughout her lifetime, but mainly in the banking industry in which she retired as an Assistant Vice President of Burke and Herbert Bank and Trust in Centreville, VA. She participated in community organizations and activities. Spiritual in nature, she attended Zion Baptist Church’s virtual services before and during the pandemic where she had expressed her desire to become a member.
Ruth was also predeceased by her brother, Joel. She leaves to lovingly cherish her memory: her mother, children: Melanie (Ridley) Arce, Larry Ridley, Jr., Nichelle Ridley-Gardner (Justin) and Travis Ridley (Roz); siblings: Denise Graves, Melba Jones (Michael), Dortha Boone, Adrienne Robertson (Lee), Eric Boone Sr., Marlene Mattocks, Damon Boone (Pamela), sister-in-law: Angela Boone; eleven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one uncle, a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A visitation will be from 6-8pm, Friday, September 10, 2021 at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Norfolk, VA. A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00p.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021, in the Woodlawn Chapel. Immediately following the service, there will be a committal service in the mausoleum. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com.
