DEVEREAUX P. RIDDLEBARGER

RIDDLEBARGER, Devereaux P. 1935-2007Reverend Devereaux PollardRiddlebarger was born Devereaux Pollard Whitehurst, Jr.March 15, 1935 in Montgomery,Alabama. Rev. Riddlebargerdied March 19, 2007 at the ageof 72. He was married to JoannDavis Riddlebarger for 52 years. Devereaux joined the U.S. NavyMay 5, 1952 during the Koreanconflict. He served his country31 years, 2 months risingthrough the ranks to MasterChief Petty Officer, E9, Commissioned Warrant Officer CWO-4and retired from active dutyAugust 1, 1983 having servedas Officer in Charge of the Naval Security Group Detachment,Mayport, Florida. During his career, Chief Warrant Officer Riddlebarger served at the following commands: Chief, NavalAir Reserve Training Staff, Glenview, Illinois; Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier, Pearl Harbor Hawaii; Commandant,Fourteenth Naval District, PearlHarbor Hawaii; USS Frontier (AD-25) Long Beach, California;Chief, Naval Air Basic Training,Pensacola, Florida, NavalCommunications Training Center, Corry Station, Pensacola,Florida; TUSLOG Detachment28, Karamursel, Turkey; Commander in Chief, Naval Forces,Europe, London, England; Director, Naval Security GroupStaff, London, England; ChiefInstructor, Naval Communications Training Center, Pensacola, Florida; CommunicationsPlanning Officer, Commander,Naval Security Group Headquarters, Washington, DC (OP-944G); Communications Officer/Department Head, NavalSecurity Group Activity, Homestead, Florida; Operations Officer/Department Head/HFDFOfficer, Naval Security GroupActivity Keflavik, Iceland; Signals Security/Electronic SecurityBranch Head, Director NavalSecurity Group Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia; Commander inChief U.S. Naval Forces Atlantic/Commander in Chief U.S.Forces Atlantic; Officer inCharge, Naval Security GroupDetachment, Mayport, Florida.In addition there were numerous Temporary Additional Dutyassignments and special operations during his career.CWO4 Riddlebarger was authorized to wear the Navy Commendation Medal-2 awards.The Naval Achievement Medal,Naval Unit CommendationMedal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, NavalGood Conduct Medal fourawards, National Defense Service Medal two awards (Koreaand Vietnam), Expert Marksmanship Medal (45 Cal. Pistol)and Expert MarksmanshipMedal (Ml-Riffle). After retirement from NavalService, Devereaux was a Realtor/Broker Salesman with Watson Realty Corporation, Jacksonville, Florida until 1987 whenhe moved to Pensacola, Florida. After being in business forhimself, he was employed bythe State of Florida, Department of Corrections, Region 1and located at Century Correctional Institution, Century Florida until 1997. Rev. Riddlebarger joined theFrazier Memorial MethodistChurch in 1952 in Montgomerywhen he met his future wife,Joann Davis. They were members of many United MethodistChurches including WarringtonUMC while stationed in Pensacola. Upon returning to Pensacola in 1987, Dev and Joannjoined the Ferry Pass UMC.When their cousin, Reverent BillFunchess was appointed asPastor, Lathram Chapel UMC in1992, Devereaux and Joannmoved their membership thereto assist Bill and functioned asthe Lay Leader for four years. Inlate 1995, it became very obvious that God was calling Devereaux to the ministry. After thecandidacy studies, Rev. Riddlebarger was appointed asPastor, Lathram Chapel UMCupon the retirement of the former Pastor. The church was recognized as the Pensacola District Small Church of the Yearand Rev. Riddlebarger was thePensacola District United Methodist, Harry Denman Awardwinner for Evangelism. He wasreappointed for 1997/1998year. His next appointment wasthe Thomaston Charge, whichconsisted of First United Methodist Church, Thomaston, Dayton UMC, Old Spring Hill Memorial UMC, Dixon's Mills UMC,and Myrtlewood UMC in theDemopolis District. Dev, servedas Secretary, Council on Ministries (4 years), Chairman,Board of Evangelist (4 years),Member of the District Board ofOrdained Ministry (4 years),and Alabama-West FloridaBoard of Ordained Ministry (10years), 3 years as the Greenville District Board of OrdainedMinistry. His last appointment was FirstUnited Methodist Church, Georgiana and Oak Grove UMC (3years). Rev. Riddlebarger is survivedby his wife, Joann Davis Riddlebarger, son, Joseph Devereaux Riddlebarger (Linda) ofLewisville, TX. and son Gerry Andrew Riddlebarger of Pensacola, FL, brother, Dr. Rev. Statt Riddlebarger (Pat) of San Antonio,TX, brother, Johnnie R. Goodson (Peggy) of Montgomery,AL, brother Sam Whitehurst (Patti) of Millbrook, AL, sister, Dianne Whitehurst Newton (Bobby) of Deatsville, AL, sister,Gloria Whitehurst Abrams(Charles) of Demopolis, AL. Hewas preceded in death by hismother, Lucille Hill Goodson ofMontgomery, AL, and Step Father Harry Statten Riddlebarger,Sr. of Montgomery, AL, his natural father, Devereaux PollardWhitehurst of Prattville, AL andhis Step-father Johnnie R.Goodson of Montgomery, AL.Devereaux was especiallyclose to his wife's family including her brother Andrew C. Davis (Winnie) of Livonia, MI, herdeceased brother Laurel L. Davis (Eloise) of Montgomery, AL,brother Harold G. Davis (Doris)of Montgomery, AL and sisterFrances L. Till of Montgomery,AL. Visitation will be at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 2203N.12th Avenue Thursday, March22, 2007 from 9:00 AM. until theservices begins at 10: AM.Reverend Darren McClellanand Reverend Jim Dufriend willbe officiating. Rev. Dr. HarryStatt Riddlebarger will give apersonal Eulogy. Burial will follow at Barrancas NationalCemetery with full Military Honors. Honorary pallbearers will beMinisters of the Alabama-WestFlorida Conference. In lieu of flowers, memorialsmay be made in his name toSt. Mark UMC or Covenant Hospice, 5507 Berryhill Road MiltonFL, 32570. Rev. Riddlebarger will bemissed by his congregationsand many friends all over theworld. Joann, Joseph and Gerry will especially miss his loveand guidance. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIALCHAPEL, Pensacola, FL is incharge of arrangements.