Judith Lee Ryder

Judith Lee (Daman) Ryder, 90, of Sebring, Florida, graduated to her Heavenly Home on December 1, 2025, after a brief illness.

Judith was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 9, 1935, the daughter of Ralph O. and Olive M. (Jones) Daman. She graduated from Christian High School in Cambridge, Massachusetts,(now Lexington Christian Academy) in 1953. The following year she married Rev. Donald James Ryder on April 24, 1954. The couple settled in Maine where Donald was the pastor of two churches in Appleton and Somerville. In 1955, they were joined by a daughter, Ruth. After a move to Andover, Massachusetts, to serve a church there, a second daughter, Dorothy, joined the family in 1957. Further pastorates were in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, Cortland, New York,and Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston. In 1981, the couple moved to Florida where Donald worked for a Christian radio ministry until his death in 2003.

Judith was fiercely independent as well as loyal, faithful, godly, and genuinely interested in the well-being of her family, her friends, and her neighbors. She capably took on the role of a pastor’s wife, supporting her husband in ministry while serving the church families in their care.She was accomplished as a cook, seamstress, decorator, and Bible teacher. Judith had a great sense of humor and loved to relate stories about amusing things that had happened to her. She was organized and diligent, often willing to roll up her sleeves and take on a new challenge.Donald and Judith made a great team as parents, both living out a genuine faith in God, loving their children and grandchildren.

After Donald died, Judith lived 23 years as a widow and maintained an active life in her church and neighborhood, keeping in touch with her family and friends through emails, phone calls, and visits. She could always be depended on to offer prayer support for any need. She was engaged in Christian Women's Club, both in leadership and support roles, as well as Friendship Bible Coffee. She volunteered for many years at Little Lamb's Prison Ministry and was committed to any role of service in her church.

Judith was predeceased by her husband, Donald, who died in 2003, and by her grandson Timothy Shaftner, who died in 2022. She is survived by her daughters, Ruth Ryder Swenson (and her husband Wayne) of Pace, Florida, and Dottie Ryder Shaftner (and her husband Kim) of Clayton,North Carolina; two grandsons, Jonathan Swenson and Matthew Shaftner (and his wife Kaley),and one great grandson. She is also survived by her sister Linda Daman Clapp of Lakewood,Colorado; her brother Stephen Jones Daman (and his wife Deborah) of Bolton, Massachusetts;and many much-loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Judith loved well and was well-loved by her friends, neighbors, and family. Her graduation to Heaven leaves a huge gap in the hearts of all who knew her and loved her. She will be missed by her friends and neighbors in Sebring, Florida, and by her church family at Southside Baptist in Sebring. A private celebration of life will be held at a future date in New England.