June 2, 1930 ~ July 20, 2022 (age 92)
Jean V Riggs, 92, of Stephenville, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Stephenville.
Funeral services for Jean will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, July 24, 2022, at Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel with Weldon Branham officiating. Burial will follow at Pony Creek (Box) Cemetery. Visitation with the Riggs family will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday at Stephenville Funeral Home.
Jean was born “Viola Jean Wakefield” to Lloyd Perry and Cressie Lelia Wakefield on June 2nd, 1930, in Corsicana, Texas. The fourth of five children, her early years were spent in Corsicana during the Great Depression while her father worked in the oil fields as a tool pusher. At an early age she returned to the family farm and attended school in Stephenville. In the fall of 1942 she moved to Borger, Texas while her father worked for the B.F. Goodrich Rubber Company during World War II and for two years after the war. While in Borger, she attended Borger High School and graduated with honors in 1947. Upon graduating, Jean returned to Stephenville and attended Tarleton State College, where she graduated with honors in 1949.
Jean married J.C. Riggs on October 1st, 1949. They had their first son in December 1950, a daughter in April 1953 and another son in November 1955. When the children were small, she worked as a laboratory technician at Tarleton State College while her husband J. C. started a welding and machine shop business. Eventually, the business grew and she began working full-time as a book keeper around 1960. Over the years, Jean contributed greatly to the success of the business by incorporating welding supplies and hardware sales, as well as other services and supplies. Riggs Machine & Welding continues to thrive and serve the community today, after more than 70 years in business.
Jean and J.C. were raised in hard times and knew how to work hard to improve their lives and the lives of others. They loved their family, community and their customers – these people were their purpose in life. They owned the family farm where Jean grew up, and they spent their spare time raising cattle, sheep and numerous dogs and cats.
Jean is survived by her sister Katie Jo Stem; children and their spouses Michael Jay Riggs, wife Sharon K. Harris-Riggs, Judy Kay Burris and David C. Riggs, wife Kathy Riggs; grandchildren Misty Russ and husband Winston (Pete) Russ, Letty Lee Riggs-Russell and husband Toby Russell, Zachary Harris Riggs and wife Ashley Hibbs-Riggs, James C. Riggs, and Alex Riggs; great grandchildren Sean McDermott, Ryan McDermott and Tess Milan Mancin.
Besides her parents, and husband, J. C.; Jean was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Don R. Burris.
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