Richard Lee Ridgeway

 Richard Lee Ridgeway, Sr., aka “Biscuit,” age 95, of Akron, and formerly of Alliance, passed peacefully at his home on April 12, 2024, into the arms of his Lord and Savior with his faithful son, Tony, by his side. Born on April 16, 1928, in Boligee, Alabama, he was the fourth of nine children born to the late Ed Lee and Lillie (Vandable) Ridgeway.  In 1952, Richard and his first wife, the late Willie Mae Burkett, moved to Alliance, Ohio, where they raised five children.  They joined Second Baptist Church where Richard served as an usher.  Richard was an active member of the Mt. Olive Lodge #66 where he held several positions, including his last position as Jr. Warden.  He was also recently recognized as a 50+ year member.After the passing of his first wife, he later married the late Mable Watson, and relocated to Akron, Ohio.  He joined the Greater Temple Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon.  Later, he became a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Akron. Richard’s favorite pastime was staying busy (often at the chagrin of his children and friends).  He started working at a very early age, often skipping school to work.  When he moved to Alliance, he was employed at American Steel Foundries, and Caserta Construction, working both jobs simultaneously for over 40 years before he began his “retirement”.  He was a “Jack of all Trades,” and he continued to work many odd jobs, including pouring concrete driveways, porches, and sidewalks, and cutting grass for many customers.  He loved spending time with his son, Tony and nephew, Howard, whether they were going to the Hartville Flea Market, Marcs, and all the thrift stores they could find.  One of his favorite morning rituals was meeting the fellas at their “favorite breakfast table” and shootin’ the breeze.  Richard enjoyed meeting people and he never met a stranger!  Preceding him in death were his parents, his wives, daughter, Alice, son, Richard, Jr., brothers Ed Lee, Jr., Honnie, Thad, Willie, and Tom, sister Delia Baker, and step-children Eric Watson, Yolanda “Yonnie” Wilson, and Cynthia “Snuffy” Fletcher.
Those remaining to cherish his memory are four children, Diane Myers, Linda (Robert) Nicholson, Joyce Ridgeway, and Anthony (Linda) Ridgeway, five step-children, Walter “Skip” Watson, Jr., Teresa (Ronald) Bell, Herbert “Herbie” Watson, Brenda (Michael) Collins, and Karen Rice, four generations of grandchildren; two sisters, Alice Crowther, and Lillie Bea Waters, two sisters-in-law, Geneva Ridgeway, and Lula Mae Burkett. and many loving family members and close friends. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at the New Hope Baptist Church, 1706 S. Hawkins Avenue, Akron, Ohio. Interment will be at Alliance City Cemetery, Alliance, Ohio, at a later date. Loving and caring arrangements are entrusted to Dean’s Funeral Home 256 W. Ohio, Sebring, Ohio 44672. Friends and family may share condolences and memories online at www.deansfuneralhome.com