Vera Delores Dickerson Ridley was born on July 16, 1929 in St. Louis. Her parents were George William Dickerson and Irene Vaughn Dickerson of St. Louis. Vera’s spirit danced away on December 7, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York.
Vera attended L’Ouverture Grade School, Vashon High School before it was seized by Harris-Stowe after the Mill Creek Valley Urban Renewal Project. Vera attended Stowe Teacher’s College. She retired from the Department of Agriculture Farmers Home Administration and was past President of a local unit of the American Federation of Government Employees Union. Vera was a real agent for over 40 years. Always an energetic person, Vera was an organizer and canvasser for President Obama during first run for president.
Vera’s interests and pursuits were many. She was a joyful humorous person. In her youth, she was a principal dancer for Les Pierrettes that performed for the Y circus. She went to Phyllis Wheatley YWCA as a young person and later was a hostess for 30 years with the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Annual Fashion Show luncheon. Vera was an avid genealogist, lover of art, jazz music, theater and dance. She was a member of Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church.
She is survived by her daughter Diane Ridley Gatewood and son-in-law Lamerol A. Gatewood of Brooklyn, New York, 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Her sons Benjamin James Ridley, III and Craig Alan Ridley predeceased her in death. She is survived by god children Katie Curry, Sidney Ridley, Cynthia Peacock of Chicago, Darren Jones and Dwayne Cummings of St. Louis, many relatives and friends.
Arrangements are being made by Sealy Cuyler Funeral Home in Brooklyn, NY and Wade Funeral Home in St. Louis, MO. The viewing will be on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 2:00 PM-5PM at Wade Funeral Home, 4828 Natural Bridge and the burial procession will leave from Wade Saturday morning 11:00 AM to St. Peter’s Cemetery, Normandy. In lieu flowers please donate to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, One Children’s Place, St. Louis, MO 63110 in her name as she wished.
