Lessie Burke Riddick

Our beloved, Lessie Burke Riddick, age 101, of Charlotte, NC and formerly of Belvidere, NC, departed from this earthly life on Thursday, November 3, 2022. 

Life Celebration Services will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Riddick Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Belvidere, NC with Pastor Nicole Spencer, Officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. She will lie in state on Saturday at the church from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. 

Lessie Burke Riddick was born to Simuel R. Burke and Louise Cooper Burke on April 5, 1921. She was an only child and became known as a strong willed, determined, and Godly woman. It is no surprise that in her 101 years here on Earth, that Lessie became a wife, mother, aunt, mentor, and confidante to many, leaving everyone she met with a kind word and a lesson to remember.

In 1941 she married Raymond Riddick. They were joined together in love for 73 years. The couple moved to Long Island, New York in 1956. Together they had 6 children - Brian, Kevin, Frank, Reginald, Bernadette, and Bertram.

Over the years Lessie was an active servant in her church and community. She was extremely active in her church at Riddick Grove Missionary Baptist Church, serving as Church Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Church Treasurer and Secretary, Choir Member, Kitchen Committee Member, Pastor’s Aide, President of the Deaconess Board, all under Pastors Davis, Moore, Whitehurst, Northam, and Jordan. She was also Elected Mother of the Year by the local NAACP.

Lessie was the epitome of class and grace. She also held traditions very close to her heart. She was also an amazing cook and baker. Lessie believed in engaging in things that made you feel comfortable. Although she came from a different time and place, she never passed judgment or ridiculed others. Instead, she embraced them and she welcomed them into her life.

Lessie was the epitome of class and grace. She also held traditions very close to her heart. She has said that she never liked wearing pants because “those were for men”; even though her own mother had worn them in the past. Lessie believed in engaging in things that made you feel comfortable. Although she came from a different time and place, she never passed judgment or ridiculed others. Instead, she embraced them and she welcomed them into
her life.

She became known as Mother Riddick, Ma Riddick, and Aunt Lessie to those who were both blood related and those who weren’t. She was a constant source of encouragement and a wealth of knowledge. So much so, that most of her children’s friends thought of her as a second mother and often came to her for advice and prayer.

In 2013 Lessie after the passing of her husband of 73 years, Raymond Riddick she moved to Charlotte NC to live with her daughter Bernadette. From that point on, Bernadette served as caregiver, and together they created new traditions. But even in her older years, Lessie was always determined to do things her way - getting up in the morning to make her own breakfast, picking out her own clothes, and even up until her last month of life, combing her own hair. Because of her vitality, strong memory, and open heart, she continued to cultivate relationships in Charlotte as well. When asked how she was doing, she would always respond "Another day, Another Blessing" .

Lessie is preceded in death by her husband Raymond Riddick, sons Frankie Riddick, Brian Riddick, and Kevin Riddick. She leaves behind her son Reginald Riddick (Beverly), Bernadette Riddick (Joseph), and son Bertram Riddick (Angel), and her best friend Whilma Winslow. She also leaves behind a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great children, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.