Flora B. Rider

Flora B. Rider passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018 in Macon, Georgia. She was 78 years old.

Flora Maria Barker was born in Nogales, Arizona on September 23, 1939. She grew up in Nogales, but the family moved to Tucson, Arizona when she graduated from Nogales High School, so she could attend the University of Arizona. Flora was the first in her family to graduate from the U of A, earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. Upon graduation, she worked in elementary schools in the Tucson area, and as a civilian teacher for the United States Air Force. While working for the USAF, she met Richard W. Rider, USAF (Ret.). The couple were married on September 14, 1974, and Flora became a homemaker. Her husband’s military service took the couple to San Antonio, Texas and Lakenheath, England. They eventually moved to Ballston Spa, New York in 1978 when her husband left active duty service and joined his family-operated business. In 1993, her husband returned to active duty and the family moved to Warner Robins, Georgia. They later moved to Montezuma, Georgia. Flora was loved by many members of her extended, military, and church families from St. Patrick Catholic Church and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. She and her husband were active in many community organizations including, Rebuilding Together and Christmas in April.

Flora is survived by her son, Richard-Paul Roy Rider of Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rick; her brothers, Jesus Alfredo, Jaime and Robert Barker; and her sisters, Ramona Barker and Rafaela Allen.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kathleen, Georgia. Flora will be laid to rest in Andersonville National Cemetery at 12 noon on Monday, August 6, 2018. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at St. Francis de Sales Church in Tucson, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Flora to St. Patrick Catholic Church Building Fund, 2410 GA-127, Kathleen, GA 31047, www.stpatrickga.org/home or to the Southwest Reservation Aid, swraprogram.org.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mrs. Rider’s arrangements.