AHOSKIE – Mrs. Margaret Simmons Riddick of Ahoskie was born on January 21, 1931 to the late John and Geneva Simmons and departed this life on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at home surrounded by her loved ones.

At an early age she joined Phillipi Baptist Church in Cofield and in 1975 joined Soul Saving Station where she rededicated her life to Christ and was a faithful member, mother, missionary and intercessor. She was also a member of the soul winning team, usher board, nursing home ministry, choir and street ministry until her health began to fail. She was also dedicated to her radio ministry for many years and through all these things won many souls.

She was employed with Alamac which later became West Point Pepperell. In 1979 she graduated from Roanoke-Chowan Community College and went on to become a Nurse’s Assistant at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie.

In 1963 she met the love of her life and in 1970 she married the man who had become her best friend, soul mate and lifelong partner, Bobby Ray Riddick Sr., and together they had 13 children.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Joyce Mae Sessoms, and Dorothy Lewter (Larry); one brother, Roger Simmons; and one sister, Mary Mountain.

She leaves to mourn: her husband of 52 years, Bobby Riddick Sr.; four sisters, Ardelle Moore, Annie Deloatch, Elsie Powell, and Beulah Anthony, all of Ahoskie; two sister-in-laws, Shirley Simmons of Ahoskie and Maurice Riddick Kirkpatrick (Robert) of Greensboro; three brother-in-laws, Kelly Saunders (Olae Mae), Cozell Woodhouse (Debra), and Avon Butler; one uncle-in-law, Joe Wiggins; six daughters, Gloria Harrell (Joe Nathan) of Ahoskie, Maxie Anne Barrett (General) of Greenville, NC, Cynthia Mizzell (Jesse) of Ahoskie, Margaret “Paige” Winley (Gregory) of Killeen, TX, Sadie Staten (Robert) of Ahoskie, and Beatrice “Bea-Bea” Davis (Michael) of Ahoskie; six sons, John Sessoms (Anabelle) of Winter Springs, Fla., Sylvester Sessoms (Vanchy) of Deltona, Fla., Andre Sessoms (Mildred) of Cartaret, NJ, Bobby Ray Riddick Jr. (Yvonne) of Ahoskie, Timothy Riddick (Tasha) of Ahoskie, and Tracy Riddick (Latarsha) of Ahoskie; 56 grandchildren, 79 great grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Soul Saving Station in Ahoskie. Pastor Donnie Graham will be officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Ahoskie.

Hertford County Undertakers of Winton is handling the arrangements.