Obituary of Elizabeth (Betty) Jane (Rider) Waddell
Elizabeth (Betty) Jane (Rider) Waddell, wife, mother, and educator, has gone to be with the Lord Sunday (4 January 2026) at 95; the only wife of one man, mother of five children, grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 6.
Elizabeth was born 16 April 1930, in Rivesville, daughter of the late Ethel I. and Peter M. Rider. Elizabeth graduated from Rivesville High School (1948), after which she attended and graduated from Fairmont State College (now University). Post graduation, she completed her Master’s Degree and post graduate hours in education.
She met her future husband of 58 years, Kenneth Ray Waddell, in sixth grade. They were married 16 April 1954 at First Baptist Church (Fairmont) after Ken returned from his USMC Korean War service.
Together Betty & Ken loved and raised five children Deborah, Randy, Linda, Kim and David.
For more than 30 years, Elizabeth was an elementary school teacher serving and changing the lives of students at First Ward Elementary (Morgantown, WV), Baxter Elementary (Baxter, WV) and Barnes Elementary (Fairmont, WV). She was known, recognized and beloved for her tireless dedication, passion, creativity, and patience, particularly for those remedial and learning challenged students to whom she gave the gift of reading and learning.
A life-long Christian, Elizabeth was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fairmont, WV and after moving to Bridgeport, WV, Simpson Creek Baptist Church. She was an amateur ornithologist with an almost magical ability to paint a verbal picture of a hidden bird whose song she heard and point to the exact spot from which it would appear to your delight and amazement. She was an avid sports fan who loved her Mountaineers and Steelers. She also routed for the Yankees, rumored to have started because of a “crush” on one great center fielder, Mickey Mantle.
Her light burned brightly, illuminated by her warm smile, her sense of humor, her uncanny ability to convey peace, love, and gentleness to those touched by her presence. She was our home. Elizabeth loved her birds and flowers, baking, outdoor activities with family and friends, and most of all her beloved Ken and God.
She was a devoted wife to Ken and mother to five children: daughter, Deborah Jane Carter and son-in-law John of Bridgeport, son, Kenneth (Randy) and daughter-in-law Julie, daughter, Linda Jo O’Shea and son-in-law Ted; daughter, Kimberly Ann Baldwin and son, David Alan and daughter-in-law Mary; 10 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband Kenneth Ray Waddell, three brothers and one sister preceded her in death: Robert, Irving, Dr. Earnest Rider, Juanita (Rider) Riley, and grandson Christopher Justin Berg. She is survived by her youngest brother Daniel Marion Rider (Fairmont, WV).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Simpson Creek Baptist Church 231 West Philadelphia Avenue, Bridgeport, WV 26330. Friends and family may visit Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, 26554, Thursday 8 January 2025 from 4PM to 8PM. Elizabeth will lie in state at Simpson Creek Baptist Church, from 11AM to 12PM Friday 9 January 2025. The funeral service will also be held on Friday 9 January 2025 at Simpson Creek Baptist Church at 12PM with the Rev. Dr. Sean Wegener officiating. The committal service will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown. Online condolences may be made at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.
