JoRetta "Jo Momma" Ridenhour Orr, 82, of Cleveland, TN, passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2013 surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, the Reverend Robert L. Orr; foster son, Donnie Price; her parents, Lena Mae and John Adam Ridenhour; brothers, Junior, Ralph and Alfred Ridenhour; and sister, Helen McLemore.
Mrs. Orr is a former employee of the Church of God International Offices and Church of God Publishing House. She also worked for a short time in the Bradley Central High School Cafeteria. She was fondly called “Jo Momma" by the many children she baby sat through the years. Alongside her husband in his ministry, she was not only a pastor’s wife, but also a Sunday School teacher. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ since the age of 16. She was a member of the North Cleveland Church of God in Cleveland for over 35 years.
“Jo Momma” was an inductee into the Lee University Athletic Hall of Fame as a meritorious winner for her many years of faithful attendance to the school’s athletics. She was an avid Braves and UT Vols fan. Having been a fast pitch softball pitcher, she was fond of local softball and enjoyed watching her daughters on the field throughout their lives. She loved sharing stories of her years as a cheerleader and softball pitcher. Since its inception she was a regular fixture at the Lee University Volley for a Cure Event. She was a familiar face at Lee Volleyball where her daughter and son in law, Andrea and Kevin Hudson are coaches.
Some may remember her as Mrs. Santa in the annual Main Street Cleveland Christmas Parade. Many will recall her spirited enthusiasm, seated in her wheelchair, on the sidelines of many Bradley Central and Walker Valley High School games watching her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Orr earned her nickname as “Jo Momma” from spectators, players and umpires during her regular attendance of events at Tinsley Park. “Jo Momma’s” last trip to the ball park was in May to watch her great grandson play baseball at Industrial Park.
Survivors include her children, Linda Roark and husband Donald, Andrea Hudson and husband Kevin, Zandra Welch and husband Jim, Yvonne May and husband Mark and Kathy Eaton; grandchildren, Josh White (Stephanie). Cassie Presley (Clint), Cpl. Trevor Jones, Carmen Falke (Eric), Bree Whaley, Michael Westfield Jr. (Samantha), Darien Johnson, Ciara Woody, Alan Roark, Megan Feldweiser, Benton Roark, TeriLynn Smith, Caleb and Zoe Welch, Haleigh and Michael May; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Hunter and Holden White, MiKayla and Kali Mingie and Heath and Landon Falke; and sister, Pat Smith of Mooresville, NC.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at the Lee University Chapel with Reverend Gary Sears, Reverend James Sears and Pastor Teresa Norman of Mt. Olive Ministries. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Michael Westfiled Jr., Darien Johnson, Cpl. Trevor Jones, Josh White and sons in law, Donald Roark, Kevin Hudson, Jim Welch and Mark May. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.
Her family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home who has charge of the arrangements.