Helen Louise Ridgely Gaither, age 93 of Manchester and formerly of Sykesville, died Friday, August 31, 2018 at home. Born March 30, 1925 in Carroll County, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Chapman Ridgely and the late Irene Adele Harris Ridgely. She was the wife of the late Charles William Gaither.
Helen had been an artist for many years. She taught both art and home economics at Sykesville High School and Sykesville Middle School. She loved gardening, painting and researching genealogy. She was a member of the Carroll County Historical Society, Carroll County Genealogical Society and Carroll County Arts Council. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Sykesville.
Surviving are son Charles Ridgely Gaither and his wife Kathy, daughters Susan Irene Gaither and her companion Albert Hymiller, and Judith Gaither Brandt and her husband John, grandchildren Charles Allen Gaither, Amy Marie Gragg, and Tommy Young, and great grandchildren Jacob and Caleb Gragg, Andrew and Sarah Gaither, and Willow Young.
She was predeceased by her brother James Monroe Ridgely.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 3:00 PM at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Rd., Sykesville with Rev. Doug Tzan officiating. Inurnment in Springfield Cemetery.