Florence Ridgeway of Hartford, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville, MO, on Wednesday, August 8, 2012. She was 93 years of age.
Crystal Florence (Lawson) Ridgeway was born in Putnam County, MO, on July 3, 1919, the daughter of Henry Harrison and Agnes (Hall) Lawson, who preceded her in death. She married Marion Frances Ridgeway on December 16, 1936, and he preceded her in death on November 21, 1997.
Florence and Marion lived most of their married life in Hartford, MO, but did work in the state of Washington in the apple harvest for a couple of seasons during World War II. Florence worked in the garment factory in Unionville for a while and then spent many years working in the laundry at Putnam County Hospital. She also did some babysitting in the community. Florence and Marion liked to travel and attended the Missouri State Fair as long as their health permitted. She liked to embroidery and also sewed all her children’s clothing. She liked to garden and often transplanted wildflowers into her own flower garden. She participated in the Hartford Baptist Church WMU in her younger years.
Florence is survived by two sons, Stanley Ridgeway and wife Ruth Ann of Hartford, MO, and Robert Ridgeway and wife Pamela of the state of Arkansas; and two daughters, Marilyn Blankenship of Livonia, MO, and Henrietta Jonatis of Fulton, MO. Florence has 18 surviving grandchildren: Ronald Blankenship, Philip Blankenship, Rhonda Blankenship, Susan Dover, Stanley Wayne Ridgeway, Sandi Gilliand, Sabrina Ridgeway, David Jonatis, Terese Johnson, Anthony Jonatis, Andrew Jonatis, Barbara Selvy, Billy Ridgeway, Jimmy Ridgeway, Daniel Ridgeway, Melissa Sullivan, Jennifer Walker, and Rebecca Maske. Thirty-six great grandchildren also survive was well as 13 great-great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Florence was also preceded in death by a son, Johnnie Ridgeway, two sisters, Sylvia, and Bertha, and four brothers, Denvile, Melvin, Archie, and Lynn. Two sons-in-law, Junior Blankenship and Chuck Jonatis, and a daughter-in-law, Carol Ridgeway, also preceded her in death as well as a great granddaughter and a great grandson, Zach Ridgeway.
Funeral services for Florence Ridgeway will be held at 11:00 am at Hartford Baptist Church in Hartford, MO, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Tom Rowland will conduct the service with the congregation singing “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” accompanied by Mary Vestal. Casket bearers will be Florence’s grandsons. Interment will be at the Hartford Cemetery.
Memorials as suggested to the Hartford Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO