Patty Ann Petrie Ridley

Patty Ann Petrie Ridley, 77, of Columbia, Tennessee, a retired teacher for Mt. Pleasant Elementary School and a resident of Old Sunnyside Lane, passed away on November 19th, 2020 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center. She was born in Turner, Montana, September 2, 1943, to parents Leo and Roxie Petrie. Patty graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, where she met her future husband, Campbell Ridley, who was in the military at Ft. Lewis. After her daughter was born, Patty received her Master’s of Education at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. She went on to teach elementary school in Portland, OR, Fayetteville, NC, St. Louis, MO, and Mt. Pleasant, TN. Patty found her calling as a teacher and during her thirty-five-year career, taught over 800 children, most of whom were from Maury County. She received numerous awards during her years of teaching including, “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” for excellence as a distinguished educator. She was a member of the teaching organizations Delta Kappa Gamma and The Student’s Club. Patty was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, where she worshiped the Lord for over forty years and enjoyed teaching Sunday School. Her faith was the center of her life and she truly had a servant’s heart. Patty was a recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award and Maury County’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2015 for her work with the Boys & Girls Club. She also served for years on the Board at the Boys & Girls Club, and was named “Board Member of the Year 2014”. Patty was a member of the Columbia Garden Club, the James K. Polk Association, and a longtime volunteer at Maury Regional Medical Center. She loved helping others in her community and in her classroom and made such a positive impact on the lives of so many. Patty is survived by her husband of 50 years, Campbell Pillow Ridley, Jr. of Columbia, TN; a daughter, Anne Pillow Ridley, and grandsons, Maximilian Ridley Tidmore and Quinnlin Campbell Tidmore, all of Santa Fe, NM; a brother, Clarence “Bum” (Linda) Petrie of Malta, MT; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four siblings George “Buck” (Beth) Petrie of Turner, MT; Peggy (Mike) Kaelber of Marcus, WA; Penny (Joe) Fitzpatrick of Malta, MT; and Jennilee (Chet) Fouts of Turner, MT. The family would like to give appreciation to the doctors and staff at Maury Regional Hospital, Dr. Steve Simmons, Dr. Paul Perryman, Dr. Rodney Poling, the Fresenius Center, NHC Maury Regional, and loving caregivers Elizabeth Woodson and Debbria English. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements and condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. In her honor, the Patty Ridley Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to help high school seniors in Maury County with the cost of college tuition. Patty’s lifelong dedication to education will live on through this fund and the successes of students in the county. It was her hope that everyone be able to continue to further their education, regardless of financial situation. Condolences and memorials to the Patty Ridley Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1931, Columbia, TN 38402 or online at https://everloved.com/life-of/patty-ridley.