Betty Deyerle Riddle

Betty Deyerle Riddle passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2015, following an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, John Byrd Riddle, her only sister, Mary Lee Pedigo, and her parents, Louise and William Deyerle. Mrs. Riddle was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on April 20, 1931. She graduated from William Fleming High School in 1949, after which she trained to become a radiology technician. Mrs. Riddle was employed at Lewis Gale Hospital in Roanoke until 1957. Surviving are three daughters, their husbands, and three grandchildren - Beth Riddle O'Brochta and Mike O'Brochta of Roanoke; Becky Riddle-Whitlow and Zack Whitlow of Charlottesville; Amy Riddle Puryear and Don Puryear of Greensboro, North Carolina. Mrs. Riddle's three grandsons are William John O'Brochta, John Lee Puryear, and Matthew Donald Puryear. A lifetime in the Methodist Church included four decades as an active member of Halifax United Methodist. During the 1960's, Mrs. Riddle volunteered as the pianist for the Children's Choir and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She served on various church committees and was a member of the United Methodist Women's group. Mrs. Riddle also volunteered as a leader of Brownie and Girl Scout troops while living in North Carolina. During those years, Mrs. Riddle worked as a teacher's aide in the public schools. Upon her return to the Halifax County area, Mrs. Riddle began her 22-year tenure as the administrative assistant at Beth Car Baptist Church. Mrs. Riddle also enjoyed playing Bridge, singing in the church choir, being a hospital volunteer, and participating in the activities of several charitable and civic organizations. The family of Betty Riddle is deeply grateful for the host of dedicated caregivers who provided professional and compassionate care for more than a decade: Dianne Anderson, Chris Beadles, Brenda Beadles, Elsie Guy, Barbara Haymes, Mary Lipscomb, Joyce Martin (posthumously), Karen Morris, and Cathy Short. A memorial service for Mrs. Riddle will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at the Halifax United Methodist Church on Mountain Road in Halifax, Virginia. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Halifax United Methodist Church, Box 357, Halifax VA 24558 or The Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or The Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Unit 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911-8618.