Teretha Ann Ridge Mahnke

Teretha “Terri” Ann Ridge Mahnke was born to Mabel Ola Durham Ridge and Justus Green Ridge on August 24, 1942, in Sherman, TX. She grew up in Amarillo, TX, and graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1960.

She met her husband of fifty-eight years, Eugene “Gene” Mahnke, an airman stationed in Amarillo. This marked the beginning of their years of adventure. Oh, the places they would go. They were stationed in Selma, AL, Anchorage, AK, and Biloxi, MS where they eventually retired.

Terri loved her family greatly. She and Gene had two daughters, Cindy (Ed) St. Amant and Mindy Mahnke, as well as two granddaughters, Maegan (Gavin) Carter and Taylor St. Amant. She was also blessed with two great-granddaughters, Harlynn and Maelie.

Terri devoted herself to making life better for all those around her. She loved cooking, and if you knew Terri, you benefited from her expertise. She spent many years volunteering at her girls’ schools. Every Christmas, she would help each class make gingerbread houses. She also worked as a substitute teacher and librarian, roles she enjoyed immensely.

Terri cherished her neighbors of fifty years. They raised their children together and shared in the joys and sufferings of life. She especially loved her “Tea Lady” weekly meetings and monthly lunches out.

When Terri made Jeus her Lord and Savior, she devoted herself to serving him and His church. She was a member of Springhill Baptist Church for twenty years, where she volunteered for various needs. For many years, she kept the church altar beautiful with flower arrangements. One of her jobs was to choose the hymns sung during Sunday evening services. A special treat she provided was homemade cinnamon rolls for fellowship gatherings- a recipe cherished by all. If you ever attended church with her, you knew to expect her “1,2,3… Praise the Lord!” at the end of every service. She loved Jesus, and she loved her church family.

Terri went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the age of 82. She is now worshipping Him with all the angels, made whole and complete, and lacking nothing, in Heavenly joy. She will be greatly missed by all her family, including nieces, nephews, cousins, and her many friends.

She was loved, and she loved.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs, MS. Friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Ocean Springs.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Teretha Mahnke.