James T. “Jim” Ridings, 87, of Greenville, died on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Assalley-Young Funeral Home, 118 E. College Ave., Greenville. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, May 27, beginning at 11 a.m. at Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church, 585 Mt. Nebo Ave., Greenville, with Elder Robert Adam officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Greenville.
Mr. Ridings was born Feb. 5, 1935, in Granite City, to Urban L. and Beatrice (Travis) Ridings. He married Marjorie Ann Prior in Bentley, at the bride’s family home, and she survives.
Most of his life was spent in the Greenville community as he lived with his family from the age of four, and with his wife, since 1963. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1952. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was honorably discharged after four years of service.
Mr. Ridings went on to work as an electrician in Moline, a carpenter for Daniken Construction, owned and operated Ridings Orchard on Terrapin Ridge Road and as a corrections officer at the Vandalia Correctional Center. His most passionate job was serving as a pastor, for many years, at Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church.
The three most important things in his life were church, family and music. He was instrumental in starting the Little Flock Church in Edwardsville. He was an excellent musician, especially on guitar, and loved country music and spending time with his grandchildren hiking the outdoors and enjoying time in nature.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Ridings is survived by his sons, James M. (Linda Kenworthy) Ridings of Greenville, Timothy (Marilyn Dir) Ridings of Kewanee, Bart (Roberta “Bobbie”) Ridings of Morton, Joel (Linda) Ridings of Haines City, FL, and Rodney (Yuko) Baker of Scott Air Force Base; daughter-in-law, Barbara Ridings of Greenville; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother, Melford “Bud” Ridings of Jerseyville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Richard “Rick” Ridings.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Little Flock Church, 5601 Schulte Lane, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
