Betty Jean Ridley

at age 93.

Betty was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and was the daughter of Elizabeth Jantzen Knowles and Marius Julian Jantzen. She graduated from Sam Houston High School and attended the University of Houston and Massey Business College. She later worked for B.F. Goodrich and Shell Oil in order to put her husband and children through school.

In 1947, Betty married Bob E. Ridley, also of Houston, and soon moved to Bellaire in southwest Houston where they started a family in 1954. Betty became the consummate mother, housewife, promoter of her children, and staunch defender of her family. She loved raising her children, and she and Bob were involved in every facet of their three sons’ lives, whether it be at school, church, baseball, Boy Scouts, PTA, or choir. Her sons were taught manners, Christian values, good grammar, social skills, and a polite persistence to always strive to be the best in any endeavor.

Betty lived for family occasions, birthday celebrations, sporting events, or any other venue where she could root for her kids or grandkids. She enjoyed her time at Bellaire Methodist Church and was a proud member of the Gibson Sunday School class. She had an amazing gift of gab, and never met a stranger. Her infectious smile and constant energy allowed her to make friends and fit in instantly, no matter the social setting.

She felt blessed by the love of one man, her husband Bob, who himself left an incredible legacy of academics, meticulous organization, and family honor.

Together, Betty and Bob set high standards, and were wonderful role models for their children.

It is always difficult to give adequate justice to the entirety of a person’s life in a few paragraphs, but those who met Betty always knew that they had been touched by an extraordinary woman of kindness, vigor, and exuberance. She did not need a lot of money, or a fancy home and cars- just give her that house in Bellaire, a grandson’s baseball game, or her family around her, and that was her fortune.

Betty is survived by her sons, Richard Ridley and his wife Nancy; Mark Ridley and his wife Susan; and David Ridley and his wife Melinda; brother Thomas Knowles and his wife Jaylee; and special sister Doris Villemez.

Betty had nine grandchildren: Chad Ridley, Adam Ridley (Haley), Brent Ridley (Sara), Kendall King (Brian), Monica Ridley, Ryan Ridley, Meagan Ridley, Melanie Ridley, and Reid Ridley. Step-grandchildren Lauren LaFosse (Brett) and Angela Hodge (Paul). Great grandchildren are Blaine, Brooks, and Beau Ridley (Adam), Daniel Ridley (Brent), and Evan and Hayes LaFosse (Lauren). Nephew Ron Ridley and niece Donna Ridley Sebastian. Betty was predeceased by her husband Bob E. Ridley. The family also would like to thank Betty’s wonderful neighbors, Liz and Bernard Hlavinka, whose constant attention and tireless care for her were invaluable to the family.

Family visitation will be held at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet, on Friday, June 4, 2021 from 5 to 7 PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, Texas, at 10AM. Interment to follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chad Ridley, Adam Ridley, Brent Ridley, Ryan Ridley, Reid Ridley, and Jeff Applewhite. Honorary pallbearers are Thomas Knowles, Steve Villemez, Glenn Villemez, Gene Jantzen, John Kinzer, Mike Fox, Ron Ridley, and Bernard Hlavinka. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the School for Little Children at Bellaire United Methodist Church, Bellaire, Texas.

The family request, all that is attending the funeral on Saturday to bring a Baseball Hat.