Murlene H Ridings

Frances Murlene Henderson Ridings, age 93, of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025. A life well lived was the legacy of our dear Mother.

Mrs. Ridings was born on July 23, 1931, the youngest of nine children, to the late William Andrew and Dorothy Cash Henderson. Murlene retired after many years of serving as a Home Health nurse. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, all of whom she loved dearly. She was first married to the father of her children, C.J. Hutchins. After raising these children from a very young age as a single mother, under the watchful care of Fairview Baptist Church in Spartanburg, she then married W.B. "Blease" Staggs. After he passed, she met and married Hoyle Ridings; she then joined Greenpoint Baptist Church. After Hoyle's passing, her children loved loading her up and traveling short distances with her to share that time of their lives together. She was a great mother and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. The greatest lesson she taught to her family was to believe in the Almighty God and his son, Jesus Christ, to follow His teachings, and to love and forgive others. May she rest in peace as she has joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her many loved ones who have gone on before her.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved children, Frances H. Smith (Tracy), Alvin D. Hutchins (Karen), and Rebecca "Becky" H. Gibson; grandchildren, Randall "Randy" M. Cooksey (Celia), Kevin K. Cooksey (Meg), Bradley "Brad" S. Hutchins, Phillip D. Hutchins (Tashah), and Andrea G. Plummer (Keith); great-grandchildren, Maryella Cooksey, Crossley Cooksey, Kearstn Hutchins, Brandon Wall, Nick Wall, and Katlyn Wall; Brandy Perkins and her sons, Triston, Tylin, and Tegan, who were raised in the home of Richard and Becky Gibson and loved her and affectionately called her "Grandma";  and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews that she loved as her own after their parents passed.

In addition to her parents, Murlene was predeceased by her sisters, Irene Guest, Inez Gardner, Allie Putman, and Alta Griffin; and brothers, R.B "Broughton", Albert, J.C., and Detroy Henderson; son-in-law, Richard K. Gibson; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Fairview Baptist Church with Rev. Ty Childers and Rev. Dr. David Lancaster officiating.

Her grandsons and great-grandsons, Randy Cooksey, Kevin Cooksey, Brad Hutchins, Phil Hutchins, Brandon Wall, and Nick Wall will serve as pallbearers. The Women of Encouragement Church at the Mill will serve as Honorary Escorts.

Interment will follow at Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM on Tuesday prior to the funeral service.

The family asks that all their relatives on both sides join them in the church fellowship hall after her committal as they gather around the table one more time.

The family will be at the home of Becky Gibson at 3056 Old Furnace Rd, Boiling Springs SC 29316.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Agape Hospice 187 N. Church St. Spartanburg, SC 29306.