Dorothy “Dot” Ruth (Parker) Ridgeway, 85, of Yukon Oklahoma, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023. Dorothy was born in a farmhouse in Lawrence County Alabama on June 3, 1938. She was the oldest of three children and growing up she aided with the family effort of planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops and caring for livestock while attending school. Dorothy met Ben Winston at a basketball game in February of 1956. By both accounts it was love at first sight. Married later that year they would spend the next 66 years together, raising a family, working in the community, and creating cherished memories. Dorothy had a kind heart and gave selflessly to the community with over 30 years of dedication and service to the Yukon Public Schools Volunteer programs. Generations of school children had their vision tested by Dorothy. She reminisced fondly on the work and the many good friends she made there. When she wasn’t dedicating her time to others, she enjoyed reading murder mysteries or watching old westerns or just listening to music on the radio. All her children remember days of Elvis Presley Aloha from Hawaii on the air. Dorothy’s memory will be cherished by friends and family alike. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Ora and Sidney, her brother Jack, and grandson Crennan. Dorothy is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ben, son Alan and wife Debi, daughter Carol and husband Alvin, son Ross and wife Sheri, son Scott and wife Caryl, sister Julia and husband Marlon, sister-in-law Rachel, grandchildren Hunter, Christopher, Cayden, Chase, Katie, Micah, Everly, Clara, and great-grandchildren Enola, Kameron, and Winifred. Dorothy Ridgeway’s family invites relatives, friends, and neighbors to join them for an informal memorial service, 2 PM on Sunday August 6 at the Yukon Czech Hall, 205 N. Czech Hall Rd, Yukon, OK, one-half mile south of I-40 (exit 137).
