Dr. Gwendolyn "Gwen" L. Riddick

Dr. Gwendolyn L. Riddick, who was often called "Pooh-Bear" by her grandmother Lois Walton, departed her loving family on July 30th, 2023.

She was born in Ahoskie, NC on March 24, 1983 to Selma and Carlton Riddick, Sr. She had 5 siblings: Demetria, Carlton Jr. “CJ”, Marita (Harvey), Eric, and Brandon (Sheila).
Gwen was the mother to Aniya and Jon Micheal aka “J.P”. She was devoted to her children and raised them to be go-getters, strong, and resilient with an abundance of love. Building a legacy for them was most important to her.

Gwen was educated in the Gates County School System where she often excelled in the area of academics and received several awards and certificates. She graduated from Gates County High School in June 2001 and was named class Valedictorian, which was indeed an honor because she achieved this status after giving birth to her daughter, Aniya, early in her senior year. Giving birth to her daughter greatly influenced her educational pursuits. She started her college career at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, but later transferred to East Carolina University to be closer to her daughter. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Nutrition from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. She was a magna cum laude graduate and always the overachiever, she graduated early in December 2004. Not only did she graduate with university honors, but she was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

She received her D.O. in Osteopathic Medicine from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Riddick was ranked in the top ten percent of her class, a National Health Service Corps Scholar, and a member of Sigma Sigma Phi Fraternity. Dr. Riddick completed her Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA. During her time as an Obstetrician-Gynecologist, she was employed with Sentara HealthCare in South Boston, VA; Peninsula Institute of Community Health in Chesapeake, VA; Total Care For Women in Chesapeake, VA; Centra Medical Group in Farmville, VA; and Sovah Health in Martinsville, VA.

Dr. Gwendolyn Riddick specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology because of her love for medicine and her passion to help and motivate young women. As an OB/GYN, Gwen was known for her kindness, competence, knowledge, conscientiousness, integrity, respect, emotional Intelligence, and confidence. Her mission was to leave her mark and to impact women of all ages and backgrounds.

Gwen would often be found reading a book or some sort of publication to better perfect her craft. She held many certifications to include: Board Certified Physician, First Aid/CPR(BLS), Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Nexplanon Insertion and Removal. Her professional affiliations include: Fellow of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Osteopathic Association, and American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Her mission was to practice patient education, emotional support, and confidentiality daily. She would often state that she was committed to cultivating personal relationships with her patients and making each one of them feel comfortable during all procedures. At the time of her passing, she was employed with UNC Health Rockingham in Eden, NC where she saw 25 patients a day and delivered 10 babies a month. During her time at UNC Health Rockingham, Dr. Riddick delivered 209 babies.

She enjoyed attending church at The Mount in Chesapeake, Va under the leadership of Bishop Kim Brown. Gwen loved the Lord and she also loved The Mount. Her faith and relationship with God grew dramatically once she joined. Before she passed, she stated that she was at her highest spiritually and the strongest she’s ever been in her life.

Gwen also loved to exercise and encouraged others around her to as well; even working out on her lunch breaks because she believed it was important to stay active. Gwen was dedicated to anything she put her mind to.

Dr. Gwendolyn Riddick will be greatly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and especially her children: Aniya and JP whom she adored with all her heart. We know we can no longer have her here with us physically, but it is joyful and peaceful to know the Lord and angels have her, and that she is rejoicing in the kingdom.

Dr. Riddick was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Lycurgus and Lois Walton of Gatesville, NC and her paternal grandparents, Linwood and Ernestine Riddick of Gates, NC.

She leaves to forever cherish her memory: her two children, Aniya Riddick and Jon Michael of Kernersville, NC; her parents, Deacon Carlton Sr. and Selma Riddick of Gatesville, NC; two sisters, Demetria Riddick of Suffolk, VA and Marita Bradley (Harvey) of Oklahoma; three brothers. Carlton Riddick, Jr. of Manassas, VA, Eric Riddick of Los Angeles, CA, and Brandon Riddick (Sheila) of Virginia Beach, VA; six nieces: Deja, Ciara, Cianna, Alanna, Khloe, and Olivia; three nephews: Harvey “HB”, Daniel, and Brandon Jr.; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. Also, a special co-worker and friend, Letisha Hairston, and her Godbrother, Willie Johnson.

The final resting place of Dr. Riddick is the Greater Welch Baptist Church, Tyner, NC

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