Deborah Ruth Riggs Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Deborah Ruth Riggs, 69, of New Castle, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center. She was born on February 19, 1953 in Ft. Benning, Georgia, a daughter of the late Alfred Lee and Ruth Ann (O’Brien) Hale. Debbie was a 1971 graduate of Union High School. She married the love of her life, Rev. Mark Riggs, on December 31, 1974, and together they enjoyed 40 years of marriage until his passing in 2015. Debbie graduated from IU East in 1986 with a degree in nursing. She was a Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing at Regency Place in Greenfield for several years. Debbie also worked at several other local nursing centers. Debbie courageously battled MS for 35 years which eventually forced her to retire from nursing. As a pastor’s wife, Debbie became part of many churches and loved serving in that role. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in New Castle and enjoyed ministering to students. Those left to cherish Deborah’s memory include her two sons, Michael Riggs of Louisville, KY and Matthew Riggs (Adriana Kinsler) of Chicago, IL; three brothers, Montie (Patty) Hale of Greenfield, Mark Alan (Mary) Hale of Losantville and Ian (Kellie) Frazier of Echo Bay, Canada; two sisters, Diana Jo (Kent) Moore of Mooreland and Marcia (John) Riggs of Zambia, Africa, and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, including a very special great-niece, Harper Wilson, who loved her “Mamaw Debbie.” In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Riggs; a sister, Denise Ankrom; a brother, Michael Hale, and by her in-laws, Jean and Patty Riggs. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, July 11, 2022 at Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Neal officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memory Gardens. The funeral service will be live-streamed at 2:00 pm Monday. You may view by Clicking Here. Friends may call from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm and 30 minutes prior to the service Monday at the church. The family wishes to thank the staff of Henry Community Hospice and Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Sproles Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be offered to the Baptist Bible Fellowship International Missions in support of John and Marcia Riggs. Donate by Clicking Here or to the MS Foundation Click Here. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Deborah Ruth Riggs.

Tributes

Deborah Ruth Riggs

February 19, 1953 - July 7, 2022