Gerald McCoy Riddick
Gerald McCoy Riddick of Southampton and Texas died in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, January 5. He was 57.
Born December 24, 1954, in Shawboro, North Carolina, to Irving and Helen Riddick, while young he relocated with his family to Southampton. On October 20, 1961, he was baptized at the Community Baptist Church. Mr. Riddick attended Tuckahoe School and graduated in 1974 from Southampton High School, where he was a part of the basketball and football teams. He attended Hofstra University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree on August 31, 1982.
He was married to Marie Davison on February 16, 1980, and they resided in Germany for three years and later made a home in Texas. Mr. Riddick was a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Dallas where he served on the Usher Board. He was also responsible for starting a tutorial after-school program for young children at the church.
Mr. Riddick was a math teacher at Cedar Valley Community College and taught science and math at L.G. Pinkston High School and H. Grady Spruce High School, both in Dallas. He was a great role model and mentor for many students in Texas, survivors said. He was also employed at the Grapevine U.S. Post Office. “He was an awesome son and brother,” family said. “This will be a great loss to family and friends.”
He is survived by his mother, Helen Marie Riddick of Southampton; five siblings, Cassandra Caldine Brown and her husband Charles of Southampton, Margaret Marie Walker of Bridgehampton, Betty Lavern Malone and her husband Noah of North Carolina, Otis Leon Riddick and his wife Hilda of Southampton, Norris Dwayne Riddick of Southampton; 12 nieces and nephews, 24 great-nieces and great-nephews; one great-great-nephew and a host of relatives and friends.
Visitation and a memorial service were held Friday, January 20, at the Community Baptist Church, the Reverend Donald Butler officiated. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery.
on Jan 24, 2012