MONTICELLO — Donald Gene Ridgell,

age 73, of Monticello, passed away Friday, March 19, 2021. He was born September 12, 1947, to the late James Weldon Ridgell and Precious Jewel Blair Ridgell. He was a retired logger and factory worker, a United States Army Veteran and a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by five brothers, Travis, Leon, Troy, Evans and Douglas Ridgell; four sisters, Maudelle

Ridgell, Narvis Harris, Willie Mae Ridgell, Charity Ann Ridgell Miller; and a granddaughter, Donya Moore Ridgell. Donald is survived by his wife, Maxine James Ridgell of Monticello; one daughter, Natalie Woods of Monticello; two sons, Donald Ridgell, Jr. of Greenville, Miss., and Karlos Demetrius James and wife Nikia of Fort Worth, Texas; five brothers, Chris Ridgell of W. Bloomfield, Mich., Earl Ridgell and wife Anne of Grand Blanc, Mich., Dwight Ridgell, Bommie Ridgell and Billy Ridgell and wife Dantanes all of Monticello; four grandsons, Khari Woods, Eric Brown, Jr., Jaiden James and Devin James Ridgell; and one very special granddaughter, Ms. Arionna Hillard, the one who stole his heart. He also leaves several Missionary ladies, Mrs. Francis Christian, Mrs. Mary Thompson, Mrs. Matilda Jordan, Mrs. Shirley Griffin and mother, Bernice Brooks.

Funeral service following Covid-19 guidelines will be 11 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. Burial with military honors will be in Campground Cemetery. There will be a come-and-go viewing from 5-7 p.m., Friday evening, at the funeral home also following all Covid-19 protocols. Online guestbook at: www.stephensondearman.com.