Veara (Heard) Ridgeway

Mrs. Veara H. Ridgeway departed this life on August 30, 2019 at Dekalb Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia presumptive complications from car accident.

Mrs. Veara Ridgeway was born in Cleveland County, Alabama on December 16, 1925 to the late Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Wiley Heard.  She was the sixth of eight daughters and three sons to join their union.  Mrs. Ridgeway inherited her faith and trust in God early in life from St. James A.M.E. Church in Graham, Alabama.  

She married Mr. Nolie Earl Ridgeway of Lavaca, Alabama in 1947, where they lived and added five children to their union.  As the family grew Mr. Ridgeway secured his family on property and a home he built himself using his gift in carpentry until their divorce in later years. In 1993 Mr. Ridgeway preceded her in death followed by their son Thomas Wiley Ridgeway (2002) and daughter Alvenia Owens (2004).  Also preceding her in death are six sisters: Gladys Williams, Marian Johnson, Myrtle Johnson, Nancy Joiner, Mary Newell and Bernice Crowe.  Three brothers: Nathan, Willie, and A.D. Heard.  She leaves to mourn her passing two daughters Bernice O. Ridgeway and Mary E Ridgeway of Atlanta, Georgia; one son; Nolie J. Ridgeway of Butler, Alabama.  Also to mourn her passing is one sister Ms. Byte Lumpkin of Lorraine, Ohio; two grandsons Sawadi (Sarah) Ridgeway, Nolie (Christina) Ridgeway, Jr., five granddaughters; Felicia, Amelia, Cynthia (Paul); Michelle and Raven Ridgeway.  One great grandson and two great granddaughters. 

Mrs. Ridgeway desired to change her status from a regular housewife to join the workforce in the 1970’s when she worked in the textile industry in Toxey, Alabama then joining custodian services for East Choctaw Elementary School.   Later retiring to home and began offering service to Foster Children in State custody; in addition to her gardening, flowering, quilting, among other things.