Mary Belle Riddick

 Mary Belle Johnston Riddick, 86, of 332 Sugar Run Road, died Monday, December 23, 2024, in her home where she was cared for by her family.

 Mrs. Riddick was born in Gates County on December 31, 1937, and was the daughter of the late Glenn and Minnie Bunch Johnston. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 65 years, Emory Judson Riddick, Jr.; by her sister, Doris Jean Riddick; and by her brothers, Walter and David Johnston.

 A homemaker, Mrs. Riddick was proud of and loved her family, always enjoyed helping others, and was the happiest when tending to her flowers. She was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church and its Berean Bible Class.

 Surviving are her children, Mary Lou Hollowell (W.H.), Betty Riddick (Stan Wood), and Robert Riddick, all of Sunbury; six grandchildren, Melinda Adkins (Brad), Jennifer Bestafka (Britt), Judson Hollowell, Christy Johnson (Bryan), Melisssa Wolford (Chris), and Emory Riddick (Bethany); nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

 Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 28th, at 2:00 p.m. in Beulah Baptist Church and will be conducted by her pastor, The Rev. Greg Jernigan. The private burial will be in Damascus Christian Church Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall immediately following the service, or all other times at the residence.

 Memorial contributions may be made to either Beulah Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, or to the Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 40, both in Sunbury, NC 27979.