Erma Wardlow Rider

PERRY – Erma Wynema Wardlow Rider, 100, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025, as she was called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Services will be held on Sunday January 26, 2025. Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm with a Memorial Service to follow at 2:00 pm at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Pastor Wayne Holcomb will be officiating. A private inurnment will take place in Crothersville Cemetery in Crothersville, Indiana, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 804 Cherry Street, Macon, Georgia 31201.
Erma was born on April 8,1924, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late David Ellsworth Wardlow and the late Letha Irene "Rena" Leonard Wardlow. She was the fourth child born to David and Rena and was followed by twin sisters two years later. She found herself in the role of Mother when she was just six years old after her mother passed away of pneumonia, leaving the twins who were only four years old.
Erma married Wilbert Rider, a World War II Veteran, while she worked at Allison Motors building motors for the planes. Erma really was the "Rosie the Riveter" during those times. After Wilbert died unexpectedly in his early thirties, Erma and her children moved to Elko, Georgia, to be closer to her two older sisters and her best friend, Alice Pitzer. Once her children became older, Erma went back to work and accepted a position at Kellwood Company in Perry. She started off as a seamstress, and was soon promoted to supervisor. Later in her career, she helped to build the printing department that made the photo inserts for the bedding and drapes produced there. After retiring from Kellwood, Erma enjoyed traveling back to Indiana to visit friends and relatives.
Through the years, Erma always enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, visiting them often. Erma enjoyed swimming, rollerskating, working in her flower garden, and going on "Sunday drives". Erma was a member of the Eastern Star, Farm Bureau, and Elko Baptist Church. Erma's favorite pastime was shopping, and some of her favorite stores included ParSan's in Fort Valley, Ruben's of Cordele, Jos. N. Neel in Macon, Ashley's Outlet and Mildred's in Perry. She truly loved buying things for her family. Erma's beautiful smile with those stunning blue eyes will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Erma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Boyd Allen Rider; her daughter, Rena Kay Rider Goodlow; her brother, Leonard Ellsworth Wardlow; her four sisters, Wealthy Marie Simmons, Florence Irene Cutrell, Oneta Iris Miles, and Juanita Jeane Humphrey; and her grandson-in-law, James Moss.
Left to cherish the memories they made with Erma are her caring and devoted daughter, Deborah Allene "Debbie" Rider Sullivan (Kevin); her daughter-in-law, Diane Chapman Rider; her granddaughters, Molly Rider Moss, Bristol Sullivan Stephens (Chris), Brooklyn Shay Sullivan (Stephen), Brittany Sullivan Anderson (Robert); her grandsons, Bruce Rider (Stephanie) and Jacob Rider; her great-grandchildren, Brazlyn Stephens, Wyatt Stephens, Peyton Heard, Hayden Heard, and Seth Rider; and four nieces, six nephews, and their families.
The family would like to give a special Thank You to Summerhill Assisted Living. They took great care of Erma and treated her like family for the eleven years she lived there.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.