Elisabeth Ryder Dilday

Elisabeth Ryder Dilday went home to be with Jesus peacefully on Dec 8, 2025. She was born on July 14, 1926 to Herbert Sterling Ryder and Mary Ruth Groenier Ryder. She was born in Littleton, NC, but spent most of her growing up years just outside her beloved Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She graduated from High School in Indiana, and earned a Business Degree in Richmond, Virginia. She married Dr. John S. Dilday from Ahoskie, NC December 30, 1950.

She stayed at home to raise her devoted children, John, Helen and Paul, and was active in many community organizations, including being a Pink Lady at Durham Regional Hospital and later at Duke Hospital. She especially loved children, and over the years influenced many young lives as a Brownie leader, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader, and Sunday School and Sunbeam leader at First Baptist Church in Durham. She organized AWANA programs in churches, teaching children about the Bible. In her later years, she loved Blacknall Presbyterian Church, especially the LC's Bible Study led by Dave Stuntz.

She had a passion for gardening, especially growing roses with her husband and sharing them with others. She spent hours working in her gardens as she sang and talked to God, especially feeling His presence in the beauty He created. She enjoyed landscaping, starting a Neighborhood Garden in her large backyard, tending and cutting roses at church, and working in a rooftop garden at Duke University Medical Center.

Foremost in her heart was serving her Lord Jesus by helping other people and telling them of Jesus's love for them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. John S. Dilday; parents, Herbert and Ruth Ryder; and son, John S. Dilday, Jr. She was also proceeded in death by her 2 brothers, John Adam Ryder and Louis Groenier Ryder.

She is survived by her children Helen (John) Crane, and Paul (Sally) Groenier; grandchildren Jonathan (Jennifer) Crane, Daniel (Emily) Crane, Seth (Eve) Anthony, and James Groenier; greatgrandchildren Avery Crane, Bennett Crane, Katie Crane, Ian Klopf, and Zoe Klopf; sister Helen Frances Ryder Turner; sister-in-law Allie Mitchell Dilday Fowler, and many loved Ryder and Dilday nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Maplewood cemetery on Dec 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM officiated by Dave Stuntz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blacknall Presbyterian Church, Durham, NC.

The Dilday family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.