Judith Lee Ryder

Judith Lee (Daman) Ryder, 90, of Sebring, Florida, passed away on December 1, 2025, after a brief illness.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 9, 1935, Judith was 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, on April 24, 1954, she married Rev. Donald James Ryder. The couple first settled in Maine, where Donald pastored churches in Appleton and Somerville. Their daughter Ruth arrived in 1955, followed by Dorothy in 1957 after the family moved to Andover, Massachusetts. Subsequent pastorates took them to Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, Cortland, New York, and Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston. In 1981 they moved to Florida, where Donald served in a Christian radio ministry until his death in 2003.

Judith was fiercely independent, loyal, faithful, and godly, with a genuine interest in the well-being of her family, friends, and neighbors. As a pastor’s wife, she supported her husband’s ministry while warmly serving the congregations in their care. She was an accomplished cook, seamstress, decorator, and Bible teacher, known for her sense of humor and her delight in sharing amusing stories. Organized and diligent, she readily took on new challenges. Together, she and Donald formed a devoted team, modeling genuine faith and deep love for their children and grandchildren.

After Donald’s death, Judith lived 23 years as a widow, remaining active in her church and neighborhood. She stayed closely connected with family and friends through emails, phone calls, and visits, and was always ready to offer prayer support. She held leadership and support roles in Christian Women’s Club and Friendship Bible Coffee, volunteered for many years with Little Lamb’s Prison Ministry, and served faithfully in her local church.

She was predeceased by her husband, Donald, in 2003, and by her grandson, Timothy Shaftner, in 2022. Judith 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; grandsons Jonathan Swenson and Matthew Shaftner (and his wife Kaley); one great-grandson; her sister, Linda Daman Clapp of Lakewood, Colorado; her brother, Stephen Jones Daman (and his wife Deborah) of Bolton, Massachusetts; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Judith loved well and was deeply loved in return by her family, friends, and neighbors. Her passing leaves a profound gap in the hearts of all who knew her, especially her church family at Southside Baptist in Sebring. A private celebration of life will be held at a future date in New England.