Charles Woodley Ridgell

Charles “Charlie” Woodley Ridgell, 74, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on March 11, 2015 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on May 31, 1940 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late Mary Nina Heard Ridgell, and Bernard Woodley Ridgell. Charlie is survived by his sister; Audrey Ridgell Somers of Leonardtown, MD. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Vernon Ridgell. Charlie graduated from Chopticon High School in 1968, and he was a St. Mary’s College of Maryland graduate in 1973 with a Bachelors of Arts in Teaching. He was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident and worked as a substitute teacher. After graduating Charles continued to go back to college for many years to take more classes. Charles was a member of the St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary for more than 40 years and officer of the President of the Citizen Scholarship Foundation. He volunteered at the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department Carnival for more than 40 years as their Announcer. Charles was the past member of the Board of Directors of St. Mary’s Nursing Home, Past Member with the Department of Social services. He Volunteered with NAACP, and with former Sheriff Joseph Lee Somerville Campaigns, and Senator Roy Dyson Campaigns, and many others. He ran for County Commissioner and for Judge of the Orphan Court. He loved politics and always dreamed of holding office himself. He and his sister Audrey held a bake sale each year to benefit the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, until they could no longer hold a bake sale. Charles received all kinds of awards over the years including; Volunteering as information assistant at St. Mary’s Hospital front desk, and Maryland’s Most Beautiful People for his Volunteerism from Senator, Delegate, County Commissioners, and for Volunteering Countless hours at St. Mary’s Hospital and much more. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady’s of Medley’s Neck Catholic Cemetery Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be; Joseph Guy Tippett, Roy Buckler, Ernie Bell, Todd Mattingly, Robert A. Ridgell and Kennedy Abell, Jr.. Honorary Pallbearers; Senator Roy P. Dyson, Joseph Lee Somerville, Sr., Mike Burke, Joseph L. Somerville, Jr., Charles Robert Ridgell, John R. “Bob” Conrad and Joseph Eugene Ridgell. Contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s County Animal Welfare League P.O. Box 1232 Leonardtown, MD 20650, St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary P.O. Box 527 Leonardtown, MD 20650, and/or Leonardtown Vol. Rescue Squad P.O. Box 299 Leonardtown, MD 20650.