Mildred Purifoy Riggs

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Mildred Marie Purifoy Riggs, 91, of Reelsboro, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at her home.

Mildred was a devoted faithful wife to her husband, Ernest Lee Riggs, for 70 years.  She and Ernest had three children. She was a loving and caring mother to each of them as well as a wonderful grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother to her grandchildren.  Everyone was welcome in her home, and no one left without a full belly.  Mildred was a master at making homemade biscuits, hen’s nest and she cooked a pot of beans every day. She loved to sew, crochet, quilting and gardening.  Mildred was the secretary and bookkeeper where she supported her husband in the success of his business, Riggs and Son Mill in Grantsboro for over 70 years.

Mildred was preceded in death by her precious son, Edward Lee Riggs; parents, Luther Jones Purifoy, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Purifoy; two brothers, Luther Jones Purifoy, Jr. and David Thomas Purifoy; and two sisters, Mary Emma Purifoy Hacker and Julia Caroline Purifoy.

Mildred is survived by her devoted husband of 70 years, Ernest Lee Riggs; daughters, Bessie Riggs Rice and Shirley Riggs Allen; her daughter-in-law, Rosemary Edwards Riggs; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

Mildred’s life was a true reflection of the virtuous woman spoken of in God’s Word…” Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:28-30).

The visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Bridgeton Cemetery.  A graveside service will follow at 11:00 am.  Please bring a lawn chair for the service if needed as there will be limited seating for the immediate family.

We would like to extend our thanks to her care givers, Linda Fraker, Deborah Murphy and Terry Pitner for the wonderful care to our wife, mother and grandmother.  We truly appreciate everything that was done for her during her time of sickness.