Avis R. Riddle's Obituary
Avis Renee Riddle was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 1, 1998, to Iris and Raymond Riddle. Avis was known by her family and friends to be fearless, passionate and full of joy. Her radiant spirit inspired us all to view life with an eye for adventure, excitement and wonder. When she walked into a room, her vibrance was felt by everyone. Despite circumstances beyond her control, Avis continued to persevere and achieve.
Avis attended Commons Lane Elementary School where she was well known and involved in most school activities. One of the highlights of her elementary years was reporting the news as one of KCLT’s news anchors. She then attended McKinley Middle School, where she excelled.
Avis attended Metro Academic and Classical High School where she continued to be actively involved in extra-curricular activities such as volleyball, cheerleading and track, all while maintaining a straight-A average. During freshman year, Avis was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on December 13, 2013, at the age of 15. Throughout high school she continued to be active in extracurricular activities while enduring cancer treatment. Although her cancer treatment was 52 weeks long and missing over a year of school, she was able to graduate with her class. In addition, she earned an ACT score worthy of a Presidential Scholarship at Harris Stowe State University. Avis continued to work when possible at the St. Louis Science Center as a student ambassador. Avis’ cancer went into remission five times throughout her life. While attending Harris Stowe, she continued to be active in multiple school activities such as Campus Ambassador, Cheerleading Manager, modeling group president (Poise) and at the request of the college president, Avis shared her struggles of her battle with cancer and her strong determination to overcome to different experiences, challenges and audiences. She was a testimony of extraordinary confidence, faith and strength.
Avis loved attending large gatherings and events. Avis truly enjoyed planning and the process of working out the details. Needless to say, she loved a good party and made sure that everyone had a good time, she was the ultimate hostess. Because of the nature of her illness, Avis developed an attitude of “Living Her Best Life” no matter what. As such, she was going to “Wear Life Out” before she went to Heaven and she wanted her name to be remembered. Although Avis adored her “twin” (Mom) who was always near, she was truly a “Daddy’s girl”. While growing up, she would often push her little brother off of their father’s lap and proudly state, “I Want The Whole Chest!” Avis was a second mother to her brother. She was always preparing and planning things to make sure that her brother was covered.
Hours after a car parade held in her honor and expressions of love from friends, family and her sisters, Avis transitioned peacefully from this life the morning of June 9, 2020, after a 6½ year battle with cancer.
She leaves to cherish and embrace her legacy: her father ~ Raymond Riddle; mother ~ Iris Robinson Riddle; brother ~ Cyrus Maxwell Riddle; grandmother ~ M. Carrol Robinson; special grandaunt ~ Dorothy “Nini” Tolbert; special “Paw Paw” ~ Clarodis Anthony; aunts ~ Temothy Robinson, Sharon Riddle, Carol Riddle and Jackie (Martha) Riddle; uncles ~ Curtis (Elayne), Cornell (Pam), Marion (Crickett), Juston Riddle and Cordell Riddle; cousins ~ LaRhonda Riddle, Eetisha Riddle, Cydney Robinson, Romiyus Gause, Jr. and Javone Robinson; bestfriends ~ Joella Gillespie, Karis Gamble, Justin Brown and Rainer Conley; sisters ~ Tolu Atoyebi, Camille Benson, Alexis Chappelle, Kaylin Dabney, Nakia Dean, Keyonna Harris, Diamond Marsh, Patrice Perkins, Shana Pettes, Imani Reid, Shamyiah Stone, Sylmaria Warmack, Markayle Wicks, Aleathea Williams, Victoria Harris, Ashia Jackson and Kennadya RodgersArchibald; and a host of other relatives and friends.
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