Lela Ridgeway was born to Honora and Viola Gaudet Trahan in Biloxi, MS and remained a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast until recently moving to Lebanon, IL, where she died on Thursday, July 3, 2014.
Lela spent many years in the medical industry working for doctors on the Coast, and later became a successful business owner following the death of her husband, Dale, in 1980. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
Lela was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was extremely independent, strong willed and a true free spirit who everyone loved.
Her favorite hobbies were dancing, playing slots, and she was an avid sports fan and was always willing to tackle a home improvement project.
Lela was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, F. Dale Ridgeway; and brothers, Morris Trahan, Claude Trahan, Murphy Trahan, and Andrew Trahan.
She is survived by her two daughters, Vicky (Robert) Cole of Fairview Heights, IL and Susan (Bradley) Margheim of Denton, TX; grandchildren, Jimmy Emile and Desiree Cole; great grandchildren, Jaden Emile, RJ Cole, Zoie Emile and Zachary Warren; siblings, Gertrude Robicheaux, Lillian Jenkins, Leroy Trahan, Beatrice O'Meara, Sidney Trahan; her extended Ridgeway family members and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Settlers Point staff, Ocean Springs, MS and Lebanon Care Center, Lebanon, IL, for your special care and compassion.
Funeral service arrangements are being provided by Wolfersberger Funeral Home in O'Fallon, IL and Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Biloxi, MS.
Memorial and Committal will take place at a later date to be determined.