Naomi Ridgway

Naomi G Ridgway of Barry, Texas, joined her Heavenly Father and loved ones after a brief illness on Friday, September 6, 2024. She was born on May 13, 1935, to Jeff and Ruth (Jones) Henderson in Barry, Texas. She was raised on the family farm with her brother, Arthur. She attended Barry schools, then moved to the Dallas area as a young lady. She worked as an accountant and bookkeeper before retiring. Naomi attended Brookhaven College to complete her Associate's Degree. She was a member of the Church of Christ and often visited New Beginnings Church to be with some of her favorite people. Naomi worked as an accountant for Braniff Airlines. She often talked about her years there. Her job provided her with the opportunity to travel, one of her favorite activities. She visited many states and foreign countries, including a trip around the world. Her Braniff experience was shared with her husband, Walter (Wally) Gruenberg, a mechanic for Braniff. Naomi retired from Braniff Airlines after many years. Wally passed away in 1994, and they lived in Carrollton. Later, Naomi met and married Billy Joe Ridgway of Waxahachie. On September 15, 1996, they married in Blooming Grove where they built a home near her childhood home place and began to enjoy their retirement years. They farmed and ranched, which limited her travel time, so she took up various hobbies. Naomi was an avid reader, often completing a book in a day. She enjoyed fiction but always had nonfiction and reference books handy to expand her knowledge of many topics. She also started quilting, where she joined the Quilting Club. She made quilts for each grandchild upon high school graduation and entered her quilts in exhibits, winning high awards. She also crocheted gorgeous blankets and did counted-stitch. With her marriage to Billy Joe, she gained his family of five kids and seven grandkids. Through the years, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were added to the count. The children always appreciated her love and devotion for their father while the two lived out their passion for the rural lifestyle. They celebrated 100 years of family ownership of the property that they enjoyed daily. Naomi stayed active by serving on the Blooming Grove VFD board and supported all their efforts. She also volunteered as an election clerk and was a member of the Red Hat Society for several years. She also enjoyed checking on and visiting with her cousins, whom she had grown up with. Naomi is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe, as well as her brother and parents and son, Chris Ridgway. She leaves behind children, Kathy Been (Alan) of Earth, TX; Clint (Jackie) of Cleburne; Matt (Toni) Ridgway and Mary Ridgway of Waxahachie; grandchildren - Adam, Britney, Quentin, Justin, Lance, Cody, Summer, Shane, Chloe, and Hannah and numerous great-grandchildren. She also had special friends of Sue Cochran and Peb and Diane Richards and several loving cousins.

Naomi Ridgway

May 13, 1935 - September 6, 2024