Eldridge, Venita Ruth February 4, 1933 - April 29, 2025

Venita Ruth Eldridge, Columbus, GA., died April 29, 2025. Venita was born February 4, 1933, in Osceola, MO.  She married D’Wayne Eldridge on October 22, 1950. They had known each other since first grade and began dating during their sophomore year in high school.  

Venita contracted polio when she was 12. The doctor advised against going to Kansas City for treatment because the hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of polio cases. Her dad constructed a frame out of boards to keep her legs straight. Her mother kept warm compresses on her legs. While she missed several months of school, Venita recovered and was fortunate she was not crippled by the disease.  

As a child, she won several prize ribbons at the county fair for her baked goods. Friends and family attested to her culinary skills for baking coconut, chocolate, pecan, and fruit pies.  Many people benefited from her gift of generous hospitality.  

After they were married, Venita and D’Wayne owned a dry-cleaning store and a gasoline station. After the arrival of their first child Venita focused on raising a family. She instilled in her children the virtues of hard work, doing things well, knowing right from wrong, how to clean a house, and the importance of friends. She encouraged and supported her children to get college and graduate degrees. She had a wonderful smile, a dry sense of humor, and a delightful laugh. People enjoyed being in her presence.  

Venita and D’Wayne led a Sunday School class of over 100 people, which is larger than most churches. She played the piano for the class and worked behind the scenes checking on members and planning socials. Venita had a servant’s heart and exuded peace, love, and faithfulness. She was God visible.

Venita enjoyed collecting Precious Moments figurines. She said this hobby was her way of staying even with her husband’s collection of old Studebakers. Venita also took pleasure in her two grandchildren, creating memories for them of making homemade ice cream, baking cookies, playing piano, catching fireflies, doing crafts, and generally enjoying fun, laughter, and unconditional love. 

Venita was resilient. She lived through polio, the death of her third child as an infant, economic challenges, thyroid surgery, a broken pelvis, and two hip surgeries. When times were tough, Venita seemed the happiest, finding fulfillment in rising to the challenge and helping others.  

Venita is preceded in death by her husband, D’Wayne Logan Eldridge, son D’Wayne Logan Eldridge, Jr., brother Bob Harris, and sister, Nadyne Harris. She is survived by a son, Daryl Eldridge and wife, Carole (Galveston, Texas); daughter, Marla Kundey and husband, Gary (Columbus, GA); two grandchildren, Melinda Davis and husband, Matthew (Missouri City, TX); Mark Eldridge and wife Leigha (Sunnyvale, TX); and four great-grandchildren, Mason Davis, Marian Davis, Delaney Eldridge, and Declan Eldridge. 

She is also survived by a brother, Bill Harris and wife, René; her caregiver, Mattie Wardlaw; and many extended family members.  

Visitation with the family will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, at the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home in Osceola, Missouri. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, at the Osceola Cemetery.