J. Van Riddick

   James Van Riddick, 82, of 835 NC 32 South, Hobbsville died Saturday, January 20, 2024, in ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville.

   Van was born in Gates County on November 20, 1941, and was the son of the late Sidney and Kathryn Wenrich Riddick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and her husband, Shirley and Shoat Berryman.

   Known by everyone throughout the area as “Big Piece”, he was employed with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for 48 years and retired as the Supervisor of the department’s Gates County division. A member of Sandy Cross Baptist Church, in earlier years he had served in the Gates County Volunteer Rescue Squad.

   Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Helen Joyce Harrell Riddick; their children, Kathy Riddick Best (husband, Curt) of Courtland, VA, and Wesley Jordan (wife, Angie) and Jason Van Riddick, both of Hobbsville; a sister, Mary Kathryn Baum (husband, Tommy) of Hobbsville; a brother, Richard Riddick of Sunbury; three grandchildren, Ashton Jordan, and Kaiden and Addison Riddick; a step-granddaughter, Allie Leeman (husband, Patrick); and two step-great-grandchildren, Grayson and Easton Leeman.

   Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 24th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, and will be conducted by the Rev. Tim Dannelly. The burial will follow in the Riddick Family Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home or all other times at the residence.

   Flowers are welcome, or contributions in his memory may be made to the Gates County EMS, or to either the Hobbsville or Sunbury Volunteer Fire Departments.