Sandra Inez Ridenhower, aged 67, departed this life in the Spring of 2025 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was born to parents Herschel and Betty Smith in Kennett, Missouri and was a graduate of Sloan-Hendrix in Imboden, Arkansas. Sandra was a member of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness in Paragould, Arkansas.
She married her high school sweetheart, Johnny Ridenhower, and they made their home in Ravenden, Arkansas. Their early years were spent as an over the road truck driving team seeing the United States. Sandra enjoyed bringing back trinkets and mementos to the family and sharing stories of their adventures. When they started a family, she came off the road and loved being a Mom to their two children, Johnny and Carrie. She homeschooled the kids through elementary school and when they went to High School she took a job at BML, a medical supply company in Paragould. When her father became ill, she quit work to take care of him in his last years. This is the kind of love and dedication Sandra had for her family.
Sandra was a student of the Theocratic Ministry School of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She humbly participated in house to house witnessing, public witnessing, prison ministry, letter writing campaigns, and conducting Bible studies in the homes of new Bible students. Sandra was privileged to share her home as a regular meeting location for the congregation to organize ministry activities. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the Worldwide Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the love and support they have shown Sandra and her family. Thank you to the Brothers and Sisters of the Paragould Kingdom Hall, you were a special blessing as her health began to decline.
Everything Sandra did, she did with passion and joy. She was a loving daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, and grandmother. Sandra is survived by her children, Johnny M. Ridenhower and Carrie L. Bryson both of Paragould; two Grandchildren, Dakota Bryson and Kaylee Bryson of Paragould; one brother Terry Smith (Debbie) of Imboden and one sister Suzanne Jones (Chuck) of Conway Arkansas; three sisters-in-law Sharon Lockard (Allen) of Eolia Missouri, Linda Braswell (Lance) of Magnolia Texas, Sandra Frost (Paul) of Ravenden Springs Arkansas, and one brother-in-law Tom Ridenhower of St. Louis Missouri; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her kind and bubbly personality gained her many friends throughout her life, three special friends who remained by her side since school are Belinda Matheney (Tony) of Paragould, Mary Pyburn of San Antonio Texas, and Andi Jarvis of Jonesboro. Sandra was proceeded in death by her parents, ex-husband, and one sister Helen Marie Smith of Walnut Ridge Arkansas.
She will be greatly missed but we rejoice in knowing we will meet again. A memorial service will be held Saturday June 14, 2025 (3:00 pm) at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, 1415 US HWY 49, Paragould Arkansas 72450. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to help with expenses: Ridenhower Family, 3211 White Oak Drive, Paragould Arkansas 72450.