Martha Ann Riddle
November 19, 1931 - March 24, 2022
Fort Worth, Texas - Martha Ann Riddle passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, March 24. She was 90.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 11:30 am Thursday, March 31, in the Chapel at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3701 Birchman Avenue, with the family receiving friends following the service. She will be laid to rest privately with her husband, Grover, in Greenwood Memorial Park.
Born in Fort Worth, Martha was raised by her mother, Mary Elizabeth Bomar, and her aunt and uncle, Elsie and Horace Ledbetter. She emerged from a challenging childhood with a tender heart, emotional intelligence, a curious mind and an independent spirit. Martha evolved into a smart businesswoman who understood real estate, interior design and future value. Her memory and attention to detail were legendary. Her faith was the foundation of her life and she shared it often and boldly. Even as her memory declined, she could still tell you stories of the Bible and recite her favorite verses.
As a young girl, Martha was involved in The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and served as the Worthy Advisor. She graduated R. L. Paschal High School and attended North Texas Agricultural College, now the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was a member of the Avolonte Sorority and served on the annual staff as assistant editor. After college, she worked as a dental hygienist and was involved with her local church where she met future husband, Grover.
In 1955, Martha married the love of her life, Grover Cleveland Riddle Jr. and they enjoyed over 50 years of marriage, full of fun and laughter. She began buying small houses and enjoyed many years managing up to 20 properties by herself and making new friends with her tenants. She was active in The Woman's Club of Fort Worth, The Salvation Army Auxiliary, Bible Study Fellowship and Christ Chapel Bible Church. She also served on the board of the All Church Home for Children for many years. And, she loved her birthday lunch group, "the Birthday Beauties."
Above all, Martha, affectionally known as "Marty," was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and adoring great grandmother. Additionally, Marty was a loyal friend and devoted family member who always put others first. Her dreams and hopes for family and friends inspired them to move forward. Marty was a perennial optimist whose support was so comforting. And her generosity to family, tenants and friends was often at her own expense. Marty's faith was the overarching guide in her life. She loved exposing friends, family and complete strangers to her Christian experience and personally changed many lives in the process. Marty was a servant leader, and her example of love and joy will never be forgotten.
We would like to thank Maria Aguilara for her loving care over the last four years and the Reminisce staff at Sunrise Senior Living for their wonderful care this past year.
In addition to her daughter, Julie Slaughter and her husband, Phil of Fort Worth, Martha is survived by her stepson, John Riddle of Houston; grandchildren, Meredith Chastang and her husband, Patrick, Liz Anders and her husband, David, Mimi Clemons and her husband, Townes and Andrew Slaughter; great-grandchildren, Oliver, Franny, Annabell, Mac and Alice. Other close family members include her sister-in-law, Theda Riddle; and nieces and nephews, Joan Clark, Mimi Ludkte, Michael Rudel, Steven Scott and Susan Lee.
In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to a charity of your choice, in her memory, is suggested.