Sid Rider Obituary (1928 - 2022)

This precious man, Sid Rider, is singing with the Heavenly Choir this Sunday! Our family is rejoicing that he is Home forever with the Lord. Although our hearts ache with the pain of the separation, we are so thankful that he is no longer suffering. He has loved so deeply and been so very loved for almost 94 years. We will celebrate his life on his birthday, November 20, at 2:00 in the afternoon at Dahlonega Baptist Church in Dahlonega, GA. He has been a faithful, adoring husband to me, a loving Dad ....Pops and Daddy....to his children and Pappy to his Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren, Uncle Sid and Pappy to many of his nieces and nephews, "Jack " to his brother and sister and Uncle Jack to their dear children. There are no words to express how much Sid loved and was loved. So many friends and co-workers, Air Force buddies, IBM fellow workers, Church leaders in Nigeria, prayer partners in Australia and throughout the States and people from all walks of life were dear to him. He served as a House Church Pastor in Northern Virginia, Elder to the Church at large, Deacon and Sunday School Teacher in Dahlonega, Co-Founder with Diane of the Vine-Life Small Groups Ministry at Dahlonega Baptist, Board of Directors, and soloist and duetist in the Choir. He was known for his beautiful baritone voice as he sang on many occasions through the years. He always loved singing with his wife Diane for Choir duets as well as weddings, funerals and numerous other occasions. Sid sang with his sons a few times and sang to them as they were growing children. Such joy and fun! Music, especially singing, was a huge part of his life from School groups to his final few days in the hospital. Sid loved everyone, especially Jesus, our earthly family and brothers and sisters in Christ, servers in our local restaurants and just about everyone he ever met. Preceded in death by his loving wife Dolores Mitchell, he is survived by his brother Jim Rider and family, his sister Jeanne Wasson and family, his wife Diane Hester Rider, a brother-in-law Del West and family, two sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Paige Rider and their three daughters, Emily(Wick), Stacey(Tim) and children and Kayla , Lee and Robin Rider and their daughter, Shelby(and children) and two sons, Mitch(Lauren) and children, Matt and Michelle, and an "adopted" daughter and child, Elizabeth and Katelyn Witt. He was greatly blessed by a total of six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, as well as many very loved nieces and nephews in GA, TN, NC, FL, MD and TX. We also claimed many college students and other young people we met through the years as additional "grandchildren". Any Memorial Donations may by sent to Dahlonega Baptist Church, 234 Hawkins St. Dahlonega, GA 30533 or to Mike Atkins Teaching Ministries, P.O. Box 322, Cashiers, NC 28717 Sid Rider entered into everlasting life on October 18, 2022, as he heard the words "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the rest I have prepared for you!" And I say to him, I will see you in The Plan, my sweet love! I will always love you, Your Diane