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Obituary for Sara Raney Ridgway Running
Sara Raney Ridgway Running, 77, died peacefully in her home on October 17, 2021. Sara was born in Jackson, Mississippi on July 30, 1944 to Sara and Charles Robert Ridgway III, and was a granddaughter to Hiram and Maude Raney and to Hattie and Charles Robert Ridgway Jr. Educated in Jackson Public Schools, Sara was a proud member of Murrah High School’s Class of ’62. She graduated from Ole Miss with a B.B.A. in Marketing Management and Accounting. It was during her junior year that she had a near fatal car accident, a result of which she lost her right eye. This could have been debilitating but not to Sara…she was a survivor. With pure determination, she graduated with her class. Her advertising career began in Atlanta, Georgia. During her time in Atlanta, she did graduate study at Georgia State University, sang with the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Symphony. In 1969, she moved to New York City where female executives were more likely to succeed. She worked for J. Walter Thompson, Grey Advertising, and Hicks and Griest Advertising. In 1974 she joined Lorillard Company where, after proving herself, became the first female Vice President of Public Relations. In 1993 she joined the food service company, Service America Corporation, as their Director of Communications. During this time, she was able to have a wonderful experience attending the Culinary Institute of America. During her 30 years in New York, she enjoyed many things about the Big Apple - Broadway, Metropolitan Opera, sporting events, making new friends, some famous such as Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle and Harry Caray. She loved hosting friends and family when they would come to visit. She always had a customized itinerary ready. Traveling the world with her friends was another favorite pass-time. Music was a constant throughout Sara’s life. She sang from an early age at church, around the campfire at the camp at Star, in high school, college, and community musicals, and with groups where she lived and worked. She played the piano, accompanied groups and enjoyed playing duets with her sister Ree. In 1999, Sara re-connected with Rodger Running with whom she had worked at J. Walter Thompson. He was her “Perfect Life Partner”. Her dad finally got to walk her down the aisle. They were married in November and moved north to Canada. After a brief time in Burlington, Ontario, Sara took up Quilting out of boredom. This much-loved hobby was such a joy for years to both family and friends to whom she gifted many quilts that were a result of countless hours of loving labor. Sara and Rodger returned to Jackson in 2005, to rake leaves instead of shoveling snow. Her family was more than happy to have them home. She and Rodger spent many happy times traveling together. Rodger preceded her in death in 2020. She is survived by her siblings, Bob Ridgway (Naomi), Ree Walden (Mike Bishop), Richard Ridgway (Melissa) and by her nieces and nephews who have always loved their Aunt Sara: Frances Ridgway Ray (Chuck), Sara Ellen Ridgway Lokey (Bryce), Julia Ridgway Becking (Mark), Charles Robert Ridgway, V (Brittany), Natalie Rose Walden Pinter (Eric), Raney Marie Walden Tyler (Hal), Arthur Ridgway Walden (Caroline), Richard Lewis Ridgway, Jr (Claire), Caroline Ridgway Hogan (Reed), Samuel Grant Ridgway (Lauren) and Anna Bess Ridgway Fuller (Tyler). She has 23 great nieces and nephews. Sara is also survived by sister-in-law Audrey Lay, and step children Randy Running, Mary Jo Rode, Roddy Running, Jill Sieck and John Running (Emily). A Service of Inurnment will be held in the Sanctuary of Galloway Memorial UMC at 9:30 AM on Tuesday October 26, 2021. Visitation will be held thereafter at 10:00 in Reception Rooms A & B followed by The Celebration of Life Service in the Sanctuary at 11:00. In lieu of Flowers, memorials gifts may be made to Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, 306 North Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39201.
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