Alton H. Ridgway

East Bend Dr. Alton H. Ridgway, 97, passed away Tuesday, July 07, 2015 at Forsyth Medical Center. Dr. Ridgway was born January 13, 1918 in Jay County, Indiana to Gilbert and Meru Horn Ridgway. He held a B.S. degree from Taylor University in 1939, and a M.D. from Indiana University in 1942. Dr. Ridgway served in the US Army Medical Corps from 1944 to 1946, and as a medical missionary in Belgian Congo from 1948 to 1952. He was accredited as Diplomat American Board Family Practice from 1970 to 1989, and as Fellow American College of Anesthesiology. Dr. Ridgway served a medical practice in Lapel, Indiana from 1953 to 1982. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Dr. Ridgway was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucy Cormican Ridgway; and two brothers, Irey Ridgway and Vaughn Ridgway. He is survived by his loving wife, Margarette Hardy Ridgway; two daughters, the Rev. Patricia May Drost, St. Marks Episcopal Church in Perryville, Maryland and the Rev. Betty Sue Sherrod, United Church of Christ in St. Louis, Missouri; three stepchildren, McCrae and Carson Hardy and Melanie Hardy Brown; 11 step grandchildren; and 5 step great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 11:00AM at Elkin Presbyterian Church with Rev. Brian Poindexter, Rev. Vann Harrell, and Rev. Stuart Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the church columbarium with full military honors provided by Yadkin VFW Post 10346. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00PM at Gentry Funeral Service in Yadkinville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, 4744 Siloam Rd, East Bend, NC 27018. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to James Matthews and the staff of Forsyth Medical Center, 5th floor CCU and Observation Unit for all the love, care and support shown to Dr. Ridgway and his family.