Melba June "Sugar" Ridgeway, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, formerly of Dixon, was born August 15, 1939, in Steele, Missouri, a daughter of William C. "Bill" and Ruth (Huffman) Driskill and passed this life Friday, November 10, 2023, in Edgewood Health and Rehab, Springdale, Arkansas.

She was united in marriage on May 26, 1962, at Caruthersville, Missouri, to Robert Thomas Ridgeway, who preceded her in death on November 29, 2008.

Melba was a member of the Township Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Her favorite things to do were singing church hymns and playing the piano. She was a devoted homemaker who loved to bake, and spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren, who called her "Sugar".

Those left to mourn the passing of Melba include: her sons, Mark Ridgeway of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Jeffrey Ridgeway and wife, Brenda, of Dixon; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Wu of Fayetteville, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Kristie Ridgeway, Stacie Wieberg (Matt), Keaton Ridgeway, Clayton Ridgeway, and Mary-Claire Ridgeway; one great-grandchild, Brayden Wieberg; and many other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father, Bill, on August 25, 1979; her mother, Ruth, on November 27, 2006; her siblings, Bonita Pierce on November 9, 2008; Ralph Driskill on December 23, 2000; Billie Kay Cain on November 26, 2016; and James Driskill on February 11, 1996.

A graveside service for Mrs. Melba Ridgeway will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 16, 2023, in the Seaton Cemetery, 41758 County Road 638, Dixon, MO 65459, with Pastor Rustin Cunningham, Township Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas, officiating. Pallbearers for Mrs. Melba Ridgeway will be Clayton Ridgeway, Keaton Ridgeway, Jeff Ridgeway, Mark Ridgeway, Matt Wieberg, and Chuck Cain.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Melba Ridgeway are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001, with envelopes available at the funeral home or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65459.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of Mrs. Melba Ridgeway at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com