Charles Thomas-Lavelle Ridley

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”(Luke 6:45KJV)On Wednesday, April 29, 2020 just before noon, Spanky aka Catfish aka Scales crossed his finish line as Charles Thomas Lavelle Ridley with no pain. He was 51.

Weighing in at 10lbs. 2oz. and twenty-one inches long on June 22, 1968 to Kathryn Ridley and John Lindsey, this smooth, chocolate bubbly baby boy smiled big even before he had teeth. Doctors warned of a difficult childhood due to his having the Sickle Cell Anemia Disease but he rushed through milestones mischievously on his own terms and usually with a wiggle of a dance.

As a proud Bearcat, he played linebacker on the Varsity football team. It was also at Battle Creek Central High School that he found his career niche in the world of printing and graphics. Thru his senior year, he headed the program for printing projects then secured employment with Battle Creek Health System in their printing department until his health complicated his ability to work steadily. He was blessed to share his expertise most recently with youth enrolled in the New Level Sports program thru their print shop.

Charles became an active member of the “Christianship Connection” as a teen and sang tenor in the Young Adult Choir at Open Door Community Church of God in Christ (now New Level Ministries) where his membership remained. On Sweetest Day, 17 years ago, he married Cindy “Lynn” after a five year courtship.

Charles was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, William T. Ridley Sr., and Anna F. (Eddie) Robinson and his paternal grandparents, John D. Lindsey Sr. and Lorrain Pointer, his loving and devoted stepdad, Fred G. Perry; his uncles: Cephus Welch, Andy Lindsey, Emanuel Pointer, Jr., James Christopher Ridley, Anthony Ridley, Gregory Ridley, Sr. and a sister, Sabrina Lindsey Spencer.

He leaves to cherish his memory and remember his smile; his wife whom he adored, Cynthia Ridley, his stepchildren, Nathan and Audrey Calery, Both parents: Kathryn (Ridley) Wheeler and John (Cassie) Lindsey, Brothers: Andre’ Ridley and Idrissa Perry, Stepbrothers: Gregory Craig and Steven (DeAnna) Craig, Sisters: NiChole (Paris) Milton, and Ericka (Lazarick) Chatman. Charles shared special family relationships with cousins: Zaundra Perry, Rashiek Perry, and Huriya Tanner. He will be greatly missed by a host of Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, many nieces and nephews along with childhood friends who fit like family.

Due to pandemic restrictions, a memorial service has been scheduled with J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home (811 Finley Drive) in Albion, MI on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 1pm. His family would like to express thanks for the show of condolences while we grieve the loss and celebrate his transition.

To leave online messages of condolence, please visit www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com