Verna Mae Jordan Ryder

Verna Mae Jordan Ryder, 64,  of Forest, Virginia, had a gentle transition to her heavenly eternal home with her loving husband by her side on Friday, July 01, 2022. She was the wife of Thomas Moorman Ryder III of Forest, Va. Verna was 16 years of age when she married Thomas and Thomas was 19 years of age. They loved and cherished one another for 48 years of marriage. They were inseparable. You never saw one of them without the other. They had a undeniable love and adoration for one another. As Thomas has said,” She chose me at 16 years of age and it was a honor and truly a blessing. She wasn’t the better half of me, she was the BEST part of me.”

Verna was born on October 20, 1957, to the late Cecil E Jordan Sr. and Martha Lee Shupe Jordan.

Along with her husband and soulmate, Thomas Moorman Ryder III of Forest, Va, she is survived by two daughters; Pamela Dawn Ryder Smith and husband Charles A. Smith Jr. of Moneta, Va, and daughter, Katherine Ruth Ryder of Lynchburg, Va. Seven grandchildren; Megan Nicole Ryder Miller and husband Kyle Miller of Cowen, WV, Jordan Lee Ryder and wife Shawna Ryder of Lynchburg, Va, Cora Leigh Ryder of Moneta, Va, Trevor Micheal Ryder and wife Kaitlyn Ryder of Marlinton, WV, Amelia Leah Ryder of Moneta, Va, Dakota Austin Crouch of Amherst, Va, and Keegan Rose Byrd of Lynchburg, Va. Six great grandchildren; Easton Miller of Cowen, WV, Micah Word of Moneta, Va, Jack Miller of Cowen, WV, Audrey Miller of Cowen, WV, Charlotte Ryder of Marlinton, WV, and Amelia Blake Ryder of Marlinton, WV. Two brothers; Carl Lee Jordan of Evington, Va, and Bud Jordan of Evington, Va. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Martha Lee Shupe Jordan, father, Cecil E. Jordan Sr. (Buddy). brother, Cecil E. Jordan Jr., son, Thomas Moorman Ryder III, nephew, Jack Jordan, niece, Tonya Jordan and six grandchildren; Jazlynn Raine Ryder,  Jasmine Elisabeth Ryder, Autumn Grace Bartell ,  Keeghan Spencer Bartell, Eben Ryder Bartell and Brody Lee Byrd.

Verna was the friend who created smiles, who was always there in times of need. The friend who always helped anyone and never knew a stranger. She was an avid lover of animals. She had the innate ability to take an animal and make them into the most loving and loyal pet that anyone could ask for. She also had a special gift of introducing animals to her friends, enriching their lives forever. She rescued dozens of animals and took exquisite care of them, while she kept several she also found wonderful loving homes for the rest. She also loved to bring people together through singing. Her favorite songs to sing was Coal Miners Daughter and Amazing Grace. She also loved sharing the gospel of Christ. Her heart and life was led by God. She had a humanitarian heart and was truly a servant of Christ. The most significant truth that one can take from knowing Verna is that she valued her relationships with people. She would drop whatever she was doing to come to the aid of a friend or family member. She easily conversed with all walks of life. She accepted everyone for who they were without judgement. She was a great listener and was generous with her affection and time. She let you know your time with her was special. It was destiny that she would share her life and enrich the lives of so many people. Verna was a woman with a God-given indomitable and loving spirit fueled with amazing perseverance who would say she lived her life to the fullest and was truly blessed. She would also say it’s important to be the blessing. She certainly was that. She especially had a very deep love and connection to her children and her grandchildren. She will truly NEVER be FORGOTTEN. Verna would always say, “Gods got me”. Indeed she was right as we all can say with great certainty that she is now with our Heavenly Father watching over us here on earth.

The Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at The Blue Lady, 107A East Main St Bedford, Va 24523 on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 2pm-5pm.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions in Verna’s memory, please consider the Lynchburg Humane Society at 1211 Old Graves Mill Road Lynchburg, Va 24502. The family extends their deepest appreciation to the many people who lifted Verna and the family up in prayer and support during her illness and to those that continue to offer prayers during this difficult time. Special thank you to Amy Forbes of Appomattox, Va, and also Patricia Shupe of Evington, Va, they are Verna’s cousins although Verna considered them to be more like the sisters she never had. Thank you  for filling that void and loving her and your dedication to helping Verna and the family.  Thank you also to special family members Bill and Rosetta Wilson of Roanoke, Va, and Jaithan Ippolito of Bedford, Va, owner of The Blue Lady, for extending his kindness and friendship.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family. To send online condolences please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.