Mary Elizabeth Riggs

November 25, 1922 - November 5, 2015

Mary Elizabeth Riggs, 92, formerly of Mt. Summit, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2015 at Springhurst Health Campus in Greenfield. She was born at home on November 25, 1922 in Raleigh, Indiana, a daughter of the late Melvin and Goldie Cole. Mary graduated from Raleigh High School in 1940. She married Clermont Bitler “Doc” Riggs on November 20, 1943. She pursued a career as a hairdresser and graduated from Amber’s Beauty School. She owned her own beauty shop for over thirty years and became a Master Cosmetologist Instructor in 1987. At the age of 65 she taught in both beauty and vocational schools. She was a member of the Mt. Summit Christian Church. Mary was a 35 year member of the National Hairdressers Association and participated in numerous style shows with clients from her shop Survivors include her youngest son, Stephen Riggs, of Greenfield; a sister, Zada Jane Hall of Cincinnati; seven grandchildren, Todd Riggs and his wife, Barbara, of Ohio, Amy (Riggs) Deckard and her husband, Bob, of Georgia, Kristi (Riggs) Veal and her husband, Patrick, of Indiana, Scott Riggs and his wife, Lindsey, of Indiana, John Riggs and his wife, Cecila, of South Carolina, Sean Riggs of Indiana, and Tara (Riggs) Boone and her husband, Johnathan, of South Carolina; two special daughters-in-law, Pam (Buckress) Riggs of South Carolina and Kathy (Hosking) Riggs of Indiana; 15 great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews from both the Riggs and Cole families. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 72 years, “Doc” Riggs; her oldest son, Charles Michael “Coach” Riggs; four infant brothers; one infant sister; ten brothers and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Pastor Mark O’Brien officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Summit Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. Memorial contributions may be offered to Springhurst Health Campus, 628 N. Meridian Road, Greenfield, IN 46140. Please mark on the memo section of checks “In memory of Mary Riggs.” The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Mary Riggs.