Lucille Ridley

Surrounded by her loving family, Lucille Ridley peacefully transitioned at her residence in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, February 19, 2023. Lucille was the last-born child to the late John Fields and Georgia Mikeal Taylor Fields on December 23, 1939 in Blackstone, Virginia. Lucille served the Lord at an early age attending Cellar Creek Baptist Church, where she would return and visit as an adult attending yearly services and reunions. Not long after graduating from Luther Foster High School in 1958, Lucille moved to Washington, D.C. where she met and married the love of her life Samuel Ridley. From this union four children were born: Wanda, Karen, Lorinda and Samuel, Jr. They also became proud members of Rehoboth Baptist church for over 50 years where they served until the time of their deaths. Lucille was employed by the D.C. Government at St. Elizabeth's Hospital for 10 years before Joining Cafritz Hospital which was later named Greater S.E. Community Hospital as an Emergency Department triage clerk, later becoming the lead admissions officer in the Admissions office. Lucille was loved and respected by her coworkers and patients. She retired after 25 yrs of service in 1994.Lucille spent her retirement helping with her grandchildren and tending to her flowers and serving her church. Lucille was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend with a passion for cooking, gardening, sewing and talking on the telephone with her closest friends and her older sisters who all preceded her in death, spending time with and cooking for her grandchildren. Lucille was often called upon for her famous banana pudding and lemon meringue pie. She would giggle but proudly accept requests when her children's friends would ask "Do you think that your Mom would make a banana pudding? "Her desserts were always a hit at baby showers , birthday parties and any family gathering. Serving as a longtime member of Rehoboth Baptist Church and a proud member of the Deaconess Board since 1971, she also served as one of the original members of the Pastor's Aide. Lucille would make her way to the church on weekends to iron and fold sheets for the sanctuary in preparation for Communion Sunday and attend her Deaconess and Pastor's Aide meetings. Her infectious smile, laughter, style, kind heart and grace will be sorely missed. Lucille is preceded in death by her parents John and Georgia Fields, her husband of 58 yrs. Reverend Samuel Ridley and twelve brothers and sisters. She leaves to treasure her memory, her devoted children: Wanda, Karen, Lorinda all of Maryland and Samuel Jr of Ohio; five grandchildren, Kendra, India, Chauncey, R'Shaan and Ayana. One God daughter, Desedra Hailes; and a host of dear nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and Church Family.

Lucille Ridley

December 23, 1939 - February 19, 2023