Obituary for Pearley Ridgeway

Pearley Ruth Ridgeway

April 5, 1923 – August 19, 2017

Pearley Ruth Ridgeway, age 94, long time resident of Ponca City, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 in Ponca City.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home from 8am-8pm on Thursday, August 24, and Friday, August 25. A funeral ceremony to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the Sunset Baptist Church with Reverend Tom Short officiating. Casket bearers will be Douglas Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Ben Bates, Joseph Bates, Tim Bates, and Jacob Bates. Following the ceremony, Pearley will be laid to rest with her husband Willard at the Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Pearley was born on April 5, 1923 in Cabool, MO to Willis E. Williams and Susie Ann Carinder Williams. Pearley married Benjamin Elbert Bates in 1939 in Nowata, OK. Their marriage brought three sons into her life, Bert, Paul, and Jim. The towns of Wann and Marland counted Pearley as a resident before she moved to Ponca City. While in Ponca City, she met Willard Ridgeway. They were married on October 1, 1975 in Ponca City, celebrating 16 years of marriage, as well a decade or more of deep friendship before his passing in 1992. In the work force, Pearley first lent her hand to a farmer near Foraker, cooking and doing housework while also driving a bus for the Foraker schools. Later, she began working as a janitor for Conoco in 1960, attaining the position of Lead Janitor before her retirement in the 1985.

The days Pearley graced this earth were spent near and dear to her faith. She loved her Lord and Savior, praising God with her church family. Willard and Pearley were members of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Kaw City for many years, before Willard’s passing and Pearley’s age disallowed her to travel to Kaw City each weekend. Sunset Baptist Church became her home of worship over the years. Pearley enjoyed bowling, and belonged to the local league as a proficient bowler. With a traveler’s spirit, Pearley also set out to see the lands beyond her home town, visiting each of the 50 states and traveling abroad with the Primetimers to places like Jerusalem, Sweden, Germany, and Holland amongst others. She had a civic pride for her community, and served where she was able, including the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and RSVP. After retirement Pearley would frequently be found dining at her favorite place, the Ponca City Senior Center.

Survivors include her son Jim Bates and wife Cindy of Coffeyville, KS, step children: Jack Kirkendall of Denver, CO, Kay Mitchell and husband Frank of Kaw City, and Cindy Ridgeway, sister Vern Steitler of Dewey, OK, brother Dale Williams and wife Merideth of Arkansas City, KS, grandchildren: John Bates and wife Marchelle of Baker City, OR, Colyn Goodwin and husband Corey of Caledonia, MS, Robbie Bates and wife Mariah of Athena, OR, Leatha Cool of Newton, KS, Jimmy Bates of Coffeyville, KS, Audrey Simpson and husband Roy of Coffeyville, KS, Ruth Johnson and husband Douglas of Ponca City, Ron Bates of Enid, OK, Tommy Wayman, Don Wayman, and Lonnie Wayman, 34 great grandchildren, 37 great great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pearley was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willard, sons Bert Bates and Paul Bates, daughter in law Terri Bates, step-sons Glenn Kirkendall, Jim Kirkendall, and Billie Kirkendall, brother Bud Williams, Sisters Marjorie Dildine, Evelene Lumley, and Sharlene Trammel, grandson Raymond Bates, great grandson Colby Charles Cain.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home