Ben Terry Riddle, age 87, of Bolens Creek, passed away Thursday, June 2nd, 2022. A lifelong Yancey County resident, he was born to George Kermit and Gladys Riddle in Pensacola on July 29th, 1934. Standing over 6’3”, Ben was known as a local gentleman giant who attributed his great strength to a childhood of hard work and play in the local fields and woods.
However, Ben’s strength wasn’t just of the physical sort. He was a deeply spiritual man and was a lifelong supporting member of Bolens Creek Baptist Church, holding numerous positions from Sunday School Superintendent to Deacon and Greeter, a title he held until last year when failing health curtailed his mobility. Ben was an Army veteran who served his country after being drafted. He served two years in Germany before returning to his beloved mountains, Bolens Creek and Dorothy, the sweetheart whom he’d married just prior to being enlisted.
He was also the owner of Ben’s Auto Parts in Burnsville from 1974 until his retirement in 1996. When not at his store or church, Ben could often be found either in his garage restoring an old classic, inside his shop working on a piece of cabinetry, or in his beloved garden patch below the remnants of his childhood home on a well-tended garden plot in Pensacola.
Ben was good at everything he endeavored and was renowned locally for sharing his abundant harvests of potatoes, and a particular heirloom greasy cut short bean that he saved and shared. It was famous for its bountiful yields in the rocky soil of our local mountain slopes and valleys.
In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy Smith Riddle, in October of 2021; and two of his siblings, Rosaleigh Pate and Robert Riddle.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Ella Wagner; son, John Riddle; daughter-in-law, Sandra Riddle; granddaughters, Melanie and Victoria Riddle; and one great-granddaughter, Ella Riddle.
Ben Terry Riddle lived a full life in a house he built with his own hands on Bolens Creek, married to the woman he loved. He treated all he met with respect, rarely having a cross word for anyone, or anything. He had a great sense of humor and was well respected throughout his community by all who knew him.
Ben will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing this local gentleman giant of a man. May he rest in the peace he so richly deserves for a simple life of honor, humor, wit, and generosity. He lived not just well, but in an exemplary manner.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 6th, 2022 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home at 4 p.m. The family will receive friends and loved ones an hour prior to service time. Dr. Chris Morgan will officiate. Interment will follow in the McCracken Cemetery in Burnsville.
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Riddle family.
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