Juanita "Nita" Wallace Ridgway

Juanita (“Nita”) Wallace Ridgway, 99, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026, at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, Mississippi. Services will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, beginning with a family graveside service at 9:00 a.m. at Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church Reception Hall A and B, followed by a memorial service in the sanctuary at 11:30 a.m.

Nita was born May 18, 1927, in Jackson, Mississippi, the second child of Harris and Inez Wallace. She lived in Raymond, Mississippi, for eight years until her family moved to Canton. She graduated from Canton High School and received a BS degree in Physical Education from MSCW in 1948. Following college, she served as a Physical Education instructor at Greenwood High School for two years, then moved to Jackson and worked for the Agricultural and Industrial Board producing the Miss Hospitality contest.

She married William Bryant Ridgway in 1950, and joined Galloway Memorial Methodist Church, where she remained a member for life. At Galloway, she served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Explorers Bible Study, served on the Altar Guild, and was a member of the Ben Fatheree Sunday School Class. She was a charter member of Rebecca Cravat DAR, a sustaining member of the Junior League, and a member of the Le Dejeuner Luncheon Club.

Nita enjoyed tennis, swimming, photography, gardening, bridge and traveling. She was predeceased by her father, Harris F. Wallace, mother, Mary Inez Miller Wallace, brother, Harris F. Wallace, Jr., husband, William Bryant Ridgway, daughter, Patricia Ann Ridgway, and son, Douglas Wallace Ridgway. Survivors include son, William Bryant Ridgway, Jr. and wife Creed; grandson William Bryant Ridgway, III, and wife Madison, great grandchildren Finley Montgomery Ridgway and William Bryant Ridgway, IV; granddaughter Mary Kathryn Ridgway Hill and husband Jerame, great grandchildren Holt Russell Hill and Charlotte Kathryn Hill; daughter Anita Ruth Ridgway, granddaughter, Shannon Grace West, granddaughter Haley West Costa and husband Jeremy, great grandchildren Evelyn Ann Costa and Alexandra Grace Costa; son, James Lewis Ridgway and Christy Neal, and daughter-in-law Deana Ridgway.

Nita and her family were blessed by the love, support and prayers of friends, family, and the incredible team of caregivers at Tuscany Center of St. Catherine’s Village. The Tuscany caregiving team exemplified Christ’s love for each of us. The family is also grateful for the loving care provided by Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1092, Jackson, Mississippi 39215, or to your favorite charity.