Joyce Marie Ridgeway

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Joyce Marie Ridgeway, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, was called peacefully by her Lord and Savior to her eternal home on Friday, July 19, 2019, after a hard-fought battle of dementia.

Joyce was born to Ellis and Noreen Parker on October 21, 1941, in Laredo, Texas.

She spent the majority of her childhood in Bruni, Texas, graduated from Plains High School and returned to Bruni after graduation.

She married her childhood “sweetheart”, Richard Ridgeway, on October 27, 1960. Joyce and Richard have been buddies since they were 5 years old.
Joyce, referred to by most as “Mimi”, enjoyed family activities, cooking, camping, board games and a range of sporting activities. Her love for the outdoors was shared with family and friends over the years and passed down to the generation beyond.

Joyce was a devoted educator to many for over 20 years serving school districts in Breckenridge, Sonora, Midland and Odem.

Her compassion and genuine interest in her students and colleagues left marks on their lives that have never been forgotten.

Her laughter was infectious and her desire to impress a positive nature of encouragement for others was a gift.

She is preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter Rhonda, two brothers, Melvin and Robert Parker, in-laws, Roy and Cleta Ridgeway and Darin Hartman.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years. Richard and her beloved “Sugar” (Shih-Tzu), three daughters, Tonya Brown (Charlie) of Sonora, Sonya Ward (Lonnie) of Kingsland and Sidonna Hartman of San Angelo, four grandchildren, Amber Ward, Nathan Ward, Shelby Hartman and Sterlyn Hartman, all of San Angelo and numerous nieces and nephews and four legged grandchildren (Shorty, Ruger and Ellie May).

She is also survived by brother-in-law Bob Ridgeway and special longtime friend Bill Caffey.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Lola’s Place in Stephenville, Texas for the love and devotion they gave to our beloved Mimi.

Memorials may be sent in Mimi’s name to Lola’s Place, 1440 West South Loop, Stephenville, Texas 76401.

Arrangements are being handled by Love Funeral Home in Sonora, Texas. Services to be conducted Friday, July 26, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at The First Baptist Church in Sonora.

A visitation will be held Thursday, July 25, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Love Funeral Home.