Hancock County Historical Society
Carthage, IllinoisAE 1925
Page 144Augusta Eagle
November 19, 1925SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. RIDINGS LAST NIGHT
Augusta friends received another severe shock upon hearing that Mrs. Raleigh Ridings was dead. She had been ailing for the past month but was up and around her home on Monday and was in town shopping on Saturday. She died last evening (Wednesday), about 6 o'clock, death being due to a hemorrhage.
Mrs. Ridings' maiden name was Mabel May Belknap and she became the wife of Mr. Ridings about two years ago. She leaves two children by a former marriage and besides her sorrowing husband leaves a number of relatives at Joetta, Ill., where the remains will be taken for burial.
Mrs. Ridings was about 39 years of age and since coming to Augusta made many friends.
The funeral will be held from the Christian church in Plymouth at 11 o'clock tomorrow (Friday) morning, Rev. F. W. Leonard, of Blandinsville, officiating. The burial will be in the Joetta cemetery.
The sympathy of the entire community is with the bereaved husband and motherless children.
Hancock County Historical Society
Carthage, IllinoisAE 1925
Page 150Augusta Eagle
November 26, 1925LAID AWAY FRIDAY AT JOETTA, ILL.
The funeral of Mrs. Raleigh Ridings who passed away at her home north of Augusta on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1925 was held at the M. E. church in Plymouth Friday at 11 o'clock, conducted by Rev. F. W. Leonard, of Blandinsville. Mrs. Elsie Cooper and Mrs. C. W. Hedgcock sang favorite hymns accompanied by Mrs. Fred Ballard. The floral tributes were beautiful. Burial in Joetta cemetery.
Mrs. Ridings was the second daughter of Willis and Melinda Belknap, of Joetta, Ill. She was born Oct. 12, 1886, at the time of her death being 39 years, 1 month and 16 days old.
January 1, 1906 she was united in marriage to William Austin, of Memphis, Mo. To this union seven children were born, Mrs. Iona Davis, Mamie Austin, of Adrian, Ill., William, of Carthage, Ill., Blanche and Clifford, at home. Ray, Lewis and her husband having preceded her in death several years before.
June 10, 194, she was united in marriage to Raleigh Ridings, of Plymouth, Ill. She was always a devoted, loving wife and mother, tenderly caring for the little children that had been bereft of a mother's love and care. She will be greatly missed, but he who knows best has called her home to rest from her labors.
Mrs. Ridings united with the Christian church at Oak Grove, Ill. in the year 1902, and has always lived a Christian life. She leaves beside her husband and children, her mother, Mrs. Melinda Belknap, of Bowen, four sisters and two brothers, namely Mrs. Mary Wear, of Tennessee, Ill.; Mrs. Bertha Brown and Mrs. Dena Stienbarger, of Ft. Madison, Iowa; Mrs. Delia Kipling, of Colchester, Ill.; Fred Belknap, of McCall, Ill., and Ralph Belknap, of Bowen. She also leaves two dear little grandsons, Ray and Robert Davis, of Adrian, Ill. Her passing away is our great loss, but our loss is heaven's gain.
