Jennavea Ridgway, age 98, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Adair Village in Clinton, Missouri.
Jennavea (JD) was born May 17, 1924, in Henry County, the daughter of Edward William and Nancy Alice (Shifflett) Kampe. Jennavea (JD) graduated from Calhoun High School May 12, 1943. She married the love of her life Johnnie Eugene Ridgway on May 5, 1943 their marriage produced one child: Larry Eugene Ridgway born August 30, 1945. JD was a member of Calhoun Baptist Church. She loved the farm life, she was a great cook and Johnnie was guaranteed three square meals a day. JD also loved to garden, she always grew a large garden and canned for the winter. When Johnnie started milking, she was right there with him working and washing the milking equipment. Johnnie and JD spent Saturday evenings amongst friends having supper and playing cards for entertainment. They also enjoyed spending time with grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren. Regardless if they were fishing, playing cards, cooking, going to horse shows, working, going to ball games, or just chilling at home they were all cherished memories. JD had a huge heart and whatever she did, she did it wholeheartedly. JD was a member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for 32 years, even after she reached her goal weight she continued and enjoyed TOPS. JD and Janet had a TOPS tradition, they watched what they ate all week, then after weighing in every Tuesday their next stop was to get a doughnut or long john after all, they had a week before the next weigh in. JD had a never-ending love for jewelry, she enjoyed collecting it with her daughter in-law Linda, her sister Elva, and two of her favorite people Janet Taylor & Sheila Crain. They spent many days traveling from antique store to antique store hunting for the perfect pieces. As you can imagine she had an enormous collection. She stored her rhinestones by color, she loved all jewelry, but sterling silver and turquoise were amongst her favorites.
After Johnnie retired, they spent many years traveling with Elvia and Ellis, they enjoyed seeing the world and sharing all the good laughs and stories with family and friends. Johnnie’s health declined and he passed away May 13, 2008. Shortly after, she sold their home and moved into an apartment. JD’s son Larry took care of her needs after Johnnie passed, getting her groceries, paying her bills, and anything else she needed including going to the doctor and the beauty shop. Larry passed away September 27, 2019 leaving Bret and Cathy Ridgway to look after her.
Those who were close to JD were honored to know the saucy and sassy side of her. She loved to cut-up and have a good time. She enjoyed watching “The Golden Girls” to the point she could resight their phrases and use them accordingly as they fit into her life. JD enjoyed spending her evenings watching old westerns and listening to Larry’s Country Diner. Dolly Parton was her favorite artist. When JD was a child, her father would have his four daughters sing to him for entertainment, this is where her love for music started.
JD once said the biggest change in her life span was going from horse back to automobiles. She shared stories about her dad going into town via horse with saddle bags to get groceries they needed. JD was also amazed by technology, Krista introduced her to the technology of a “smart cell phone” at family dinners. From that point on, anytime you visited JD she needed you to look something up or play a particular song. She just could not believe something like this was possible. Then came Facetime, even though she was homebound she was able to visit her loved ones via Facetime. This was also something she was amazed about.
JD is survived by her daughter in-law, Linda Ridgway; one grandson Bret Ridgway (Cathy Ridgway); one granddaughter Krista Lutjen (Cody Lutjen); six great grandchildren; Austin Ridgway (Kayla Ridgway); Cole Ridgway (Carolina Ridgway); Cody Escalante; Chet Ridgway (Katerina Schroeder); Courtney Rotramel; Shaylee Lutjen (Spencer Ferrebee); two great great grandchildren; Rowan Eugene Ridgway and Rayni Dawn Fareebree; devoted niece, Janet Taylor (Gary Taylor); devoted niece Sheila Crain (Bob Crain) nephew JR Sapp (Sonjia Sapp) and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nancy and Edward; her husband Johnnie; her son Larry; her four sisters, Elva Wilson, Marguerite Kinney, Edna Hicks, and Shirley Sapp.
Funeral services were held May 5, 2023 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Pastor Mark Abney officiating. Special music included “God On the Mountain, Face To Face and Amazing Grace” with J.R. Sapp as vocalist and Sheila Crain as vocalist/organist. The casket bearers were Paul Noble, Marty Kempe, Larry Smalley, Russell Hodson, Harold Ensor and Wayne Harms. Interment followed in Calhoun Cemetery, Calhoun, MO.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
