Joyce Rhodes Riddick

Aiken, SC - Joyce Rhodes Riddick died peacefully surrounded by family members and friends at Aiken Regional Medical Center on February 26, 2019, at the age of 88. Born February 9, 1931, she was a daughter of Jennie and Aubrey C. Rhodes. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Walter, and her siblings Margie Rhodes Deleo and Douglas Rhodes. Joyce attended Greenwood schools and graduated from the Medical University of SC School of Nursing in Charleston in 1952. She practiced nursing at Self Memorial Hospital in Greenwood, the old Aiken County Hospital, Aiken Regional Hospital, Camp Gravatt as the camp’s nurse for several summers, the Aiken Area Council on Aging, the Aiken Nursing Home, and finally retired after serving as nurse supervisor at the Georgia War Veterans Hospital in Augusta. Joyce enjoyed her work as an emergency room nurse and later became an ANA certified Geriatric nurse. She also was a volunteer leader of adult water aerobics classes at USC Aiken in her retirement years. Joyce became an Aikenite in 1954 when she moved here with her husband after he was hired by Dupont at the Savannah River Plant. She was a member of the St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church Alter Guild and Flower Committee for over 40 years. She was also a member of the Daughters of the King at St. Thaddeus. Other organizations in which she was an active member include: the Jefferson Davis Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy, the Henry Middleton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Pink Ribbonettes, Mended Hearts, and the Aiken County Historical Society. Her two favorite hobbies over the years included creating ceramics for over 40 years at the Aiken Recreation Dept. Ceramic House and taking a painting class for many years under Art Instructor Al Beyer at USC Aiken. Joyce is survived by three sons and their wives: Walter Riddick Jr. (Roseanne) of Staten Island, New York; Allen Riddick (Stacey) of Aiken; Bob Riddick (Cheryl) of Lexington. Her five grandchildren are: Ian and Ethan Riddick of Staten Island, Kelley Riddick of Aiken, Michael Riddick (Emily) of Edwards Air Force Base, California, and Adam Riddick of Lexington. Joyce was blessed with three great grandchildren, Eliza Grace Riddick, Braxton Riddick, and Emerson Riddick. Funeral services will be held at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church on Saturday March 2nd, 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Grant Wiseman officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Thaddeus Cemetery. A reception will be held in the Stevenson-McClelland building after the burial. The family will receive friends at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday March 1st. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, 125 Pendleton St. SW, Aiken, SC, 29801 or the Mended Hearts Local Chapter #294, Box 976, Aiken, SC, 29801.   To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Rhodes Riddick, please visit our flower store.