Obituary of Alberta Marie Ridley

Alberta Marie (Johnston) Ridley was born in Newport News, Virginia March 31, 1945 and transitioned to glory on July 6, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1963 and attended The American University Nursing School in 1986. Her mother taught her to crochet when she was 3 years old. She later taught herself to knit, do leather work, and a variety of other crafts. She worked for a fabric and craft store for many years and for the government until she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She was miraculously cured of this affliction during a 5 day prayer and fasting shut-in called by her church. Alberta was later employed by Amdahl as an administrative assistant where she was responsible for million dollar accounts. 
Alberta married Edward Earl Ridley, Sr.  on February 12, 1964 and recently celebrated their 53rd anniversary. They met at her parents’ restaurant when he was 15 years old and she was 14 years old. He was so smitten by her beauty that he was afraid to speak with her.  He began to call her “Baby Doll” because she had the figure of a beautiful doll. They moved to their house on Montana Ave., in N.E. Washington D.C. in 1970. 
Alberta accepted Christ at an early age and attended Church of God In Christ churches in Newport News and in Washington, D. C. She joined Capital Temple Church in Washington D.C. in August 1991 where she received her Deaconess License on October 20th and Evangelist License on October 28th of 1999. She served as a member on the Mother’s Board and in the Evangelist Department. She also served with the Prayer Warriors  and with the Artistic Fingers for the District.
Alberta Ridley was preceded in death by her parents  Carrie (Harrison) and Clero Johnston, her daughter Tracy Nicole Ridley; her siblings Charles Foster Johnston, Cleroy Johnston, Leonard B. Johnston, General W. Johnston, Mattie Johnston Vance, and David Earle Johnston. She is survived by her husband Edward Ridley, Sr.,  siblings Eliza Odell Morrison and Lucy Y. Harrell; son Edward Ridley, Jr. ( his wife Josephine), grandchildren Gabrielle, Joshua, Sarah and Joel; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.