Valeria Ringgold

Valeria Ringgold was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 21, 1949, to the late Bessie Mae Ridgely Carr and Norman Bernard Ringgold, Sr. To her family and friends, she was affectionately known as Val. Her brother Curtis referred to her as Reds. She was Granna to her only beloved granddaughter, Morgan (David) and Mam-Mam to Londen, Kwynn, and Kigh, her great-grandchildren. Val suddenly departed from this earthly plane on Monday, January 15, 2024. Her untimely passing has caused great sorrow to her family, friends, and loved ones. She had a large and extended family on both her maternal and paternal sides. Her siblings (Everett, Claude, Charles, and Irvin Carr; Gerald Ringgold, Sr., Norman Ringgold, Jr., and Biff Ringgold preceded her in death. Val was close to her sisters, brothers, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Val was raised and educated in West Baltimore. She attended Edmondson High School and graduated in 1967. She received her BA in English and French from Coppin State College in 1975. She earned her MA from the esteemed Johns Hopkins University in 1988. Val married her high school sweetheart, Theodore Fickling, Jr., on December 23, 1967, and from this union her greatest joy was birthed in Wendlyn Sara (Wendie). Val was a loving and devoted mother, pouring her life into her only daughter and instilling in Wendie the importance of excellence, integrity, grace, and kindness. In 1990, Val met her long-time companion, George Cooper. Until his death, they spent over fifteen years together; they especially enjoyed traveling the world and attending Wimbledon tennis matches. Val had an extensive career in the procurement industry for over 30 years. She was employed by Allied Signal Corporation, OAO Corporation, Westinghouse Electric, and Northrop Grumman. Val retired from Aireco Supply in November 2022. After retirement, Val remained true to her helping nature and began her own professional organizer consulting business; she worked with individuals, families, offices, and businesses to help reduce clutter and organize their space, time, and lives. She also joined the team at Omega Home Services. In 1994, after becoming a licensed massage therapist, Val founded Healthy Touch Therapies in York, PA. Val believed in the restorative power of touch and was experienced in a wide range of healing techniques and methods. She had a robust clientele that she maintained over the years. Val was passionate about reading and lifelong learning and would consume many books spanning different genres throughout the year. The fact that she was an avid reader and an English major was clearly evident in her enhanced vocabulary and language skills. She was a connoisseur of fine dining and an excellent cook who prepared delicious, satisfying gourmet meals, or southern fried catfish if the occasion called for it! She was known for her extraordinary baked goods, including her chocolate pound cake, cookies, brownies, and zucchini muffins. Val had impeccable style and grace, a beautiful presence, and a thoughtful spirit. To give freely and to offer a helping hand was deeply ingrained in her nature. Her consistent, kind, generous, and thoughtful deeds were demonstrations of her genuine love. She loved talking to people, and strangers quickly became friends wherever she went. Val leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory her only daughter Wendie (Pooh) whom she was very proud of; her granddaughter Morgan (Moe) and son-in-law, David, whom she adored; great-grandchildren Londen, Kwynn, and Kigh; siblings Reginald Ringgold, Alice Stewart, Faye Young, Curtis Ringgold, and Jacqueline Flowers; sisters-in-law Andrea, Dee, Dale, Sandy, Florence, and Joanne.

Tributes

Valeria Ringgold

June 21, 1949 - January 15, 2024