Riggs, Inez (nee Waldron)

Inez Waldron Riggs died Wednesday March 28, 2012 in Austin, Texas after a brief illness. She was born Helen Inez Waldron in Black Rock, AR to parents R.C. and Lucille Waldron in September 1922. She grew up in Walnut Ridge, AR, attended Arkansas Tech and graduated from the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She married Orval Elmo Riggs of Walnut Ridge, AR in 1942. She and Orval lived in Kansas City KA, Oakland CA, Dayton, OH, Morgantown WV, and Clarksburg WV at various times in their lives, and Inez made a home and friendships wherever they settled.

Inez was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother and she will be sorely missed by her family and many friends. More than anything else, Inez was dedicated to her family. She spent nearly every waking hour making sure her husband Orval and their children – Susan, Tommy and Dianne - were doing well. Her caring and concern lasted long into their adult lives. She made their needs her needs. She instilled in each of her children the importance of education, of religion and the importance of growing up to be a good person. Every visit to her home or to the homes of her children was accompanied by tins of her homemade chocolate chip cookies, cheese straws and brownies. Not a Christmas or Halloween or Easter or birthday of any of her children or their spouses or any of her nine grandchildren passed without receiving a card from Inez and Orval.

Inez was also active outside her home. She taught elementary school in Jonesboro, AR 1960-1966 and was actively involved throughout her life with her college sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. She and Orval were loyal members of the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock and Little Rock Country Club until their move to Austin last fall.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Orval E. Riggs MD. Of their wedding day, Orval wrote that it was "the most important and significant day of his life," and she remained his one true love. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas Steadman Waldron of Walnut Ridge AR , two daughters, Dianne Riggs Espinoza of Austin TX and Susan Riggs Runge MD of Chapel Hill NC , their families, and the family of her son, Tommy. She was predeceased by her son, Thomas Richard "Tommy" Riggs MD of Austin, TX and her sister, Camille Ellis of Little Rock, AR.

A graveside service will be held Monday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Austin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.

Obituary obitained from the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home website, Austin, TX

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