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Erma Jean Ridgell-Jones was born March 9, 1935, to Richard and Bertha Lee Ridgell. She grew up in Wilmar, Arkansas with her siblings, Ernest, Vernestine and Lewis. She was the third child. During her childhood, she loved basketball and played on the Drew High School basketball team in Monticello, Arkansas where she graduated. She was affectionately known in the community as "Mama Jean".
Jean loved the Lord and accepted Christ at a young age. She was well known for her beautiful voice and was a very active member of the choir at Greater Shady Grove A.M.E. Church in Wilmar, Arkansas and the A.M.E. Community Choir. She was a devoted mother, dedicated church member and a friend to many. She retired from Leisure Lodge Nursing Home in Monticello, Arkansas after thirty plus years. She also was known for her kind spirit and funny sense of humor. She never met a stranger and was very hospitable to all. She loved fashions, pedicures, dining out and traveling.
Mama Jean was preceded in death by her, grandparents, Grace and Lula Eatmon; parents; siblings; and son, Terrance "Terry" Jones. She leaves five children to cherish memories, Patrick (Mary) Jones, Sandra (Ken) Charles, Bruce Jones, Sonia (Willie) Wilbourn and Sasha (Edward) Hunter; daughter-in-law, Marilyn White-Jones; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, January 2, 2025, at Greater Shady Grove A.M.E. Church in Wilmar, Arkansas from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Funeral Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Wilmar Cemetery in Wilmar. Repast will be at the Wilmar Community Center. You can sign Mama Jean's guestbook here on her page.
Jean loved the Lord and accepted Christ at a young age. She was well known for her beautiful voice and was a very active member of the choir at Greater Shady Grove A.M.E. Church in Wilmar, Arkansas and the A.M.E. Community Choir. She was a devoted mother, dedicated church member and a friend to many. She retired from Leisure Lodge Nursing Home in Monticello, Arkansas after thirty plus years. She also was known for her kind spirit and funny sense of humor. She never met a stranger and was very hospitable to all. She loved fashions, pedicures, dining out and traveling.
Mama Jean was preceded in death by her, grandparents, Grace and Lula Eatmon; parents; siblings; and son, Terrance "Terry" Jones. She leaves five children to cherish memories, Patrick (Mary) Jones, Sandra (Ken) Charles, Bruce Jones, Sonia (Willie) Wilbourn and Sasha (Edward) Hunter; daughter-in-law, Marilyn White-Jones; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, January 2, 2025, at Greater Shady Grove A.M.E. Church in Wilmar, Arkansas from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Funeral Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Wilmar Cemetery in Wilmar. Repast will be at the Wilmar Community Center. You can sign Mama Jean's guestbook here on her page.