Dorothy May (Sloan) Ridley

Dorothy May (Sloan) Ridley 

1940-2024 

Dorothy May (Sloan) Ridley, of Belen, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on April 10, 2024, at home, surrounded by her loving family. 

Dorothy was born on a ranch in Quemado, N.M., to Alma and Roland Sloan. The family moved to Albuquerque when she was age 6, and then again when she was 12 to Peralta, where she graduated from Los Lunas High School. Soon after, Dorothy married the love of her life, Darrell Paul Ridley, and they settled in Belen, to live and raise their family. 

After being a homemaker for several years, Dorothy taught kindergarten and first grade at Manzano Christian Academy while her children were in school. She faithfully served her church in many different roles, as an organist, a treasurer and a church board member. 

Dorothy loved music, and took great pleasure in playing the piano and singing the songs of the church. Later, as a member of First Baptist Church of Belen, she enjoyed singing in the choir for a number of years before her illness. She was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed sewing clothing for her children and grandchildren. Most importantly, Dorothy loved the Lord wholeheartedly, and would happily tell anyone who would listen about Jesus. 

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, along with two brothers and eight sisters.  

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Darrell Paul Ridley; daughter, Toni Amber Hill and husband, Milton, of Houston, Texas; son, Randy Dean Ridley and wife, Margaret, of Belen; daughter, Rebecca Ann Empie and husband, Len, of Powder Springs, Ga. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. 

A special thank-you to Presbyterian Hospice Care and the doctors, nurses, CNA aides and others who cared for her during the long-term illness: Misty Anaya, Tina Bibiano, Mila Padilla, Fabian Juarez and many others who helped over this period of time. 

A memorial service to celebrate Dorothy’s life was held on Saturday, April 13, at Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, followed by a private inurnment at Terrace Grove Cemetery.  

An online guest register is available at noblin.com.