Maria "Wichi" Rodriquez Aldridge

“Wichi” Maria Rodriguez Aldridge

April 9, 1953 – October 22, 2024

Saddened are we, the Stoneville High School Class of 1971, to announce the passing of “Wichi” Maria Rodriguez Aldridge, October 22, 2024 in Hickory, N. C. Wichi was born April 9, 1953 in Havana, Cuba to Rev. C. Alberto Rodriguez and Elisa Garcia Rodriguez, both deceased. Rev. Rodriguez pastored Hodgin Memorial Methodists Church in Stoneville, N.C. in the late sixties/early seventies. 

Surviving are sisters Elisa R. Ryland and her husband, Gaines, Silvia R. Spence and Lilian R. Kalyanaraman and her husband, Raman, nieces and one nephew, her First Baptist Church family- Hickory and her SHS Class of 1971 family.

Wichi was a cherished individual to the Stoneville Community, her Church and her school. She was musically inclined, playing the organ and dulcimer; artistic in her cross-stitch, art painting, and Moravian Star making. She excelled academically, a National Honor Society member, was involved in many school committees/functions. Wichi kept in touch thru the years and returned home to us as often as possible to dinners and class reunions, the most recent and memorable, our 50th reunion.

Wichi was hospitalized after a fall on Friday, October 18 and suffered a cardiac event. She was on life support for less than 2 days. The family came to be with her (from multiple states), providing comfort thru singing and praise; Wichi passed away on Tuesday after their visit.

Sheri Lynn posted : We celebrated my Aunt Maria Rodriguez Aldridge (Tia Wichi’s) life today in a beautiful park in Hickory, NC. We were able to sing together and share stories of love and her beautiful faith in Jesus that helped her to the end of her life. Thank you Wichi for all the love you gave us all. May you be at peace in Heaven with your mother and father and rejoicing and singing together again. 

Our class echoes Sheri Lynn’s words: Thank you Wichi for all the love you gave us all. May you be at peace in heaven. You’ll be forever in our hearts. We love you.

Posted on Wichi’s webpage October 18, 2024 @11:17 am, her last post before she fell that evening...

ISAIAH 46:4 KJV And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar(gray) hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you.