Mildred Gilmore Ridgway

Mildred Gilmore Ridgway, 90, of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and praising the Lord she served so faithfully throughout her life.

She was born on November 27, 1935, in Loris, South Carolina, the daughter of John Percy and Letha Bellamy Hardee.

Mildred was first united in marriage to Bennie Grey Gilmore on March 22, 1952, in Loris, South Carolina. Their marriage was tragically cut short when Ben passed away from cancer on November 11, 1963, at the age of 31, leaving Mildred a young widow with three small children. Ben was the biological father of her oldest children, and his memory and family were always held with love and respect.

Several years later, Mildred married Charles Armstrong Ridgway, Jr., on June 25, 1967, in Charleston, South Carolina. Charles lovingly took Mildred and her three young children under his wing and became a devoted father to them in every sense of the word. Together, they later welcomed a daughter, completing their family. Mildred and Charles built a home rooted in love, faith, and unity—where no child was ever treated as anything less than fully and completely family. Mildred deeply adored her husband, and their marriage was a testimony to commitment, grace, and unconditional love. Charles preceded her in death on January 25, 2022.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mildred was a homemaker whose life revolved around caring for her family. Family meant everything to her, and she poured herself wholeheartedly into the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Mildred was a dedicated Christian who loved the Lord with unwavering faith. Even through the darkest seasons of life, her trust in Him never wavered. She and her husband faithfully opened their home in Charleston, South Carolina, to host missionaries and visiting speakers from their church, finding great joy in fellowship with fellow believers and in serving others through hospitality. Her faith was her strength, her anchor, and the guiding purpose of her life.

She was a member of Jefferson City Bible Chapel.

Mildred is survived by two daughters, Dolly (Alan) Christensen of Jefferson City, and Robin (Jeff) Roberts of Wentzville; two sons, David (Lisa) Gilmore and Miles (Karen) Gilmore, both of Charleston, South Carolina; siblings, Shirley Porter, Doris Jacobs, Paul Hardee, and Charles Hardee; fourteen grandchildren, Marsha, Daniel, Misty, Tara, Dana, Ryan, Nicholas, Megan, Jonathan, Chad, Alyssa, Kyle, Ashlynne, and Erin; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husbands, and six siblings.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City, with funeral services immediately following at 12:00 noon. Dr. Jim Allan will officiate.

A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the service at Jefferson City Bible Chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Turkey Hill Ranch Bible Camp.

Services are entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City.
trimblefunerals.com