Pauline Riddle

Pauline Harrington Dunson Riddle, 91, passed away after a lengthy illness in her Waco residence on July 17, 2013, just 20 days short of her 92nd birthday. A funeral service in tribute to her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19, in the Waco Memorial Park Chapel, with viewing 30 minutes prior to the service.

Pauline was born on August 6, 1921, in Waco, Texas, to Pauline and Tom Dunson. Growing up, she and her older brother Curly were avid dancers, teaching tap, jazz, and ballet classes for many years. She later met and in 1944 married the love of her life, Lonnie Riddle, while both were employed at Waco Army Air School. They spent many years sharing a love of cactus hunting, collecting and planting over 250 different species in their backyard, often going on those expeditions with her younger brother J.T. and sister-in-law Mary. While Lonnie was also involved in Masonic lodge work, Pauline became active in the Daughters of the Nile and Karem Shrine activities. On May 7, 1953, their daughter Paulette was born and Pauline’s focus shifted to working in the home and serving as “room mother” for her daughter’s schools for 12 years. When Paulette began junior high school, Pauline began recruiting students for guitar and drum lessons at Chuck Harding’s Music Studio, serving as a type of “den mother” for all the students enrolled.

In the late 1960’s, Pauline developed a love of vintage glassware and other collectibles, and she and her sister-in-law Billie Dunson held one of the first garage sales in Waco. In 1972, she began managing Swap-a-Rama at the Waco Drive-In Theater; and later managed Waco Circle Flea Market for Wacoan J.C. Herring. She and Billie also provided estate sale services for the Waco community until Billie’s death.

Pauline had a passion for cooking and cooking gadgets, and was renown for her family-recipe deviled eggs, which she prepared for hundreds of family, friends, and organizations over the years…her family is sure she will be deviling eggs in heaven! Plus, she always welcomed the opportunity to discuss her love of household improvement gadgets and tools. Over the last 25 years, she has also supported her son-in-law’s performances in the Waco classic rock band The Morticians and loved being at their events and decorating for their annual hosted Valentine’s Day Dance. Pauline loved people, never met a stranger, and always had time for family and friends. She listened with her heart to anyone who needed her and will still be watching over her loved ones from heaven above.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Lonnie, of 45 years; her brothers, Leroy “Curly” Dunson and J.T. Dunson; and her sister-in-law, Billie Dunson.

Pauline passed away peacefully surrounded by her “kids”--daughter, Paulette, and the son-in-law she loved as a son, Buddy Edwards (who she said was the best nurse she could have had), and Jeff Reid, who she also loved and welcomed into her family as a son. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Dunson, along with numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rex Barnes, Joe Copaus, Jerry Echols, Roger Fitzpatrick, Joe Hall, Mike Magid, Mark McKethan, Danny Moore, Alan Smith, and Mike Tamberella.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the excellent staff of Providence Hospice for their dedicated and compassionate visits; to Drs. Keith Horner and Johnny Howton and Lawrence Burnett for their long-term loving concern; and to Andrea Vielma, Jan Steppick, Mary Adams, and Maria Munoz for their additional loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Caritas of Waco.