Mrs. Florence (Flo) Lee Ridgeway had labored long on earth. She lived a wonderful, exciting, and happy life. She grew weary of the battle and waited for the Lord to call her to her Heavenly Home. He called and she answered on December 18, 2019.

Florence L. Ridgeway, 99, of Erie, Pa, was born to the late Elbert and Dora Paschal Lee on October 31, 1920 in Harlem, (Columbia County) Georgia. She was the last of fourteen children to return to the Lord.

Florence accepted Christ at an early age and united with Second Baptist Church upon moving to Erie, Pennsylvania. She served faithfully in the choir, Sunday School dept., Missionary Dept., and on the Kitchen Committee until her health began to decline. Her love for the church, the pastor, the members and friends was steadfast. She loved to cook and enjoyed sharing her delicacies with friends and neighbors.

She was employed by the Lawrence hotel and retired from Erie Foam Fabrication.

She was an active member of the Post 700 Social Bridge Club, Organization of Military Wives, and several other organizations. Florence had a passion for shopping, and was well known for her trendy, immaculate dressing. She loved flowers and gardening. Florence was recognized by the Housing Authority in 2005 for beautifying the neighborhood.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Ridgeway; and her siblings.

She is survived by her nephews and nieces, Randell (Veronica Jones), John T. (Elizabeth), Willie (JoAnne) Coleman, and Brenda J. Gilmore (Joshua) all of Erie, PA; Eva Lester, JoAnne Frails, and Patricia Patterson all of Augusta, GA; her great nieces, Annette Rickerson (Scott) of Harlem, GA, April Terrell of Athens, GA, Mary Cheeley and Martha Ramsey of Augusta, GA; her god-daughters, Cynthia Frost and Pearl Jeffries-Steele; her dear friends, Ethel Simmons, who was like a sister, Nell Cooper, who kept Flo's hair looking good, Shirley Jones-Epps, travel companion, and Larry Barney, who assisted her in any way he could, all of Erie, PA; as well as numerous extended relatives. She also leaves many life-time friends, too numerous to mention individually, but you know what you meant to Flo.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank her nephew, Randell Coleman and his support team for the selfless care that he provided to Aunt Florence. We also would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of the VNA Hospice Team for the dignified care that they provided. Thank each and every one of you who loved and cared about Aunt Florence.

Friends may visit with the family at Second Baptist Church, 757 East 26th Street, on Saturday, December 28, 2019 from 10 am to 11 am, where a home going celebration will immediately follow with Rev. Lamont Higginbottom eulogizing. Interment will be private. Professional services are entrusted to Pitts Funeral Home, 2926 Pine Avenue, Erie, PA 16504.