Alice Ruth Buzzard Ryder, 70, of Hot Springs, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Springs Nursing Center in Hot Springs, Virginia.
She was born August 27, 1946 in Bath County, Virginia, the daughter of the late Arnold Dean Buzzard and Lilly Lee Ryder Buzzard.
She was married to the late Melvin Lee Ryder who preceded her in death on December 11, 1995. Mrs. Ryder was a housewife and a housekeeper at Hobby Horse Farm for over 25 years. She was a faithful member of Eden United Methodist Church and a vital part of her church family. She was a hard worker within the church and could always be at various activities within the church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who adored her family. Anyone who knew Alice knew how much she loved her family. Alice was a friend to all. She enjoyed going to square dances and was a champion bowler.
She is survived by 8 children, Melvin Ryder & wife Debbie, Wade Ryder & wife Lisa all of Hot Springs, David Ryder & wife Rhonda of Covington, Lisa Snodgrass & husband David of Bedford, Teresa Dufour & husband Louie, Michael Ryder & wife Crystal all of Hot Springs, Melissa Henry & husband Jeff of Roanoke, Virginia and Matthew Ryder & wife Tiffany of Frankford, West Virginia; 30 Grandchildren, Kelli, Angela, Tyler, Brandon, Tuesdy, Remington, Walker, Makenzi, Catherine, Briana, Tanner, Brittni, Adrianne, Carrie, Morgan, Andrew, Abigail, Lindsay, Isabella, Nicholas, Michael, Cheyenne, Isabella, Eivin, Kholter, Liam, Mako, Baylee, Hunter and Alicenne; 8 Great Granchildren, Annabelle, Caroline, Easton, Layne, Zayden, Brayden, Kinlee and Lilly; and a brother, Melvin Buzzard & wife Diane of Sacramento, California.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a great grandchild, McKenna and a sister, Helen Ryder.
A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 2017 at Eden United Methodist Church with Pastor Lorrie Aikens and Pastor Donald Lee Altizer officiating. Interment will be in Jacob Cleek Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Melvin Ryder, Wade Ryder, David Ryder, Michael Ryder, Matthew Ryder and Andy Ryder.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home or anytime at the home of Teresa Dufour.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eden United Methodist Church, c/o Dotty Hanshew, 785 Virginia Ave., Hot Springs, Virginia 24445 or to The Alzheimer’s Association, Central & Western Virginia Chapter, 2040 Deyerle Ave. Suite 102, Harrisonburg, VA 22801