Atkinson, Margaret Ridinger

Margaret Kelsey Ridinger Atkinson, 94, of Blacksburg, Va. passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 17, 2019 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Blacksburg, the daughter of the late Vane Kelsey and Lucy B. Kelsey. She lived in Blacksburg most of her life and was a life-time member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church.

Her father owned the Lyric Theater, a Blacksburg historic landmark, where she fondly remembered selling movie tickets.

She married her high school sweetheart, Vernon Ridinger in 1944. She supported Vernon during their happily married life. She was a loving wife and was by his side when he was a Navy captain in WWII stationed in San Diego, CA and throughout his career as the owner and operator of Ridinger Hardware & Gift Company located in downtown Blacksburg. Together they raised three children, Nancy, Jack and Lucy.

Margaret has a long history of love and loyalty for Virginia Tech and was a true Hokie fan her entire life. Her grandfather was a tailor for the Tech Corps of Cadets and she enjoyed watching her husband Vernon play on the Va Tech basketball team in the 1940’s. She faithfully attended football and basketball games and the family will always remember many Hokie family weekends when everyone enjoyed the pots of spaghetti Margaret made for pregame meals.

She was gifted at sewing and doing handwork. Her needlepoint and knitting creations were a work of art and she owned The Knitting Shop in downtown Blacksburg. She loved her dogs and raised boxers and poodles. There was never a time that she did not have a dog by her side or sitting on her lap.

Margaret loved music: singing, playing the piano and organ and dancing to big band songs. She was blessed with the loving companionship of her husbands, Vernon Ridinger and later in life Bane Atkinson, who both pampered her with love and affection. As we reminisce about Mom’s life, we know that she is now at peace and probably dancing with Vernon and relaxing while working a puzzle with Bane.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Vernon Ridinger and Bane Atkinson, son, Jack Ridinger; parents, Vane and Lucy B. Kelsey; brothers, Don, Paul , Courtney, and Robert Kelsey; aunt, Elsie Gray; and special friend, Zona Holcomb.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law; Nancy and Joe Bean; Lucy and Jerry King, five grandchildren, Maggie Bean, Mandy Bean, Jason Ridinger and wife, Angela, Jon King and wife, Angelee, and Chris King and wife, Morgann. She is also survived by daughter-in-law, Judy Ridinger. Surviving nieces and nephew include Betsy Hulvey, Beth Kelsey Bennett; and special friend, Aldora Green. She is also survived by six great -grandchildren, (expecting the seventh in February), and six great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Sunday, January 20, 2019 from 1:30 until 2:30 pm at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, VA. The funeral service will begin at 2:30 pm in the chapel. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Montgomery County; Lyric Theater Foundation; or a non-profit organization of your choice.