Leila Mae Riggs, daughter of the late Lloyd and Mabel (Loftin) Lakey, was born on Oct. 12, 1935 in Girdner, Mo., and passed away on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 in the Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mtn. Grove, Mo., at 75 years of age.
Leila grew up and attended school in the Sweden area east of Ava, Mo., until 1954. She was united in marriage to Glenn Riggs and three sons were born to this union. They made their home in the Kansas City, Mo., area and in 1994 they moved back to the Ozarks and bought a farm near Mtn. Grove.
Leila was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved her family very much and looked forward to spending time with them. She will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Leila enjoyed sewing, and while living in Kansas City she owned and operated an upholstery business. She was also an excellent bowler and had received several trophies.
She was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church near Mtn. Grove since 1998. Leila loved her church very much and enjoyed visiting with her church friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Lyle Lakey.
She is survived by her loving husband, Glenn Riggs, of their home in Mtn. Grove; three sons, Edward Riggs and his wife, Brenda, of Independence, Mo., Thomas Riggs and his wife, Susie, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and David Riggs, of Mtn. Grove; three brothers, Troy Lakey and Burney Lakey, both of Ava, Mo., and Kenneth Lakey, of Hartville, Mo.; two sisters, Mary Ann Wheeler and Brenda Potter, both of Ava, Mo.; three grandchildren, Amanda, Zane and Zoie Riggs; several nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Online condolences: www.cfraig hurttfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services for Mrs. Riggs were held on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. in the Friendship Baptist Church with Rev. Melvin Napier officiating. Song selections were “Long Black Train,” “Far Side Banks Of Jordan,” and “Amazing Grace.” Dixie Gaddis served as pianist and Gary Massey served as song leader. Pallbearers were Jerry Moseley, Gary Massey, Bill Melton, Burney Lakey, Ronald Potter, Zane Riggs and Tommy Todd. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Mo.
