Betty Riggs

On New Year's Eve 2022 Grandma left the constraints of this earthly life to Rest In Peace with special loved ones and to live eternally in the arms of Our Lord.

Betty Jo (Davis) Riggs was born in Spur, Texas on June 20, 1930. Betty's life began in the devastating days of the Great Depression. Unfortunately, she knew all too well the hardships this life could bring. Betty recounted stories of how she, at a very young age, had to fend for herself while her mother bravely earned a living under very trying circumstances. When Betty was a young girl she moved with her family to Garfield, New Mexico. She attended elementary school at the Old Derry School house.

Around the age of 12 Betty was fortunate enough to be able to take a few piano lessons. With these few lessons and her self-determination, she essentially taught herself to play the piano. Betty used her musical talent throughout her life to bring joy to herself and others, and to serve her savior.

As a young teenager, Betty, along with her sister Joyce, attended school in Hatch. Their Dad would give each girl a quarter to purchase their lunch for the school day. Seems like such a small amount but that single quarter would get them a ham sandwich and soda at the local drug store. This is about the time Betty met a boy named, Fred. As fate would have it, on October 21, 1949, Fred and Betty were joined in Holy Matrimony at the Justice Of The Peace in Truth or Consequences.

With the word "teen" at the end of both their ages they met life head on with exuberance and determination, working side by side, for 72 years. Fred and Betty had many joyous days together, but they also faced some of the most tragic events any one would have to bear in a lifetime and they did it with strength in each other and their faith in Jesus Christ.

Fred and Betty went on to have 4 boys, Freddie Paul, Gary Don, Les, and Vance. When the boys were young Fred and Betty had no choice but to take them to work with them. Farming was a true family endeavor and through the years as the boys grew they took on more and more responsibility. They each pitched in. Waking in the early morning hours to bale hay, Betty would send them off with a good breakfast, joining them later in the day to count the bales of hay, load them on the trailer to be delivered to the barn or dairy. Betty also worked long hours right alongside Fred in the family chile business and when it became necessary to stretch the family's income, she took a job at the Carrie Tingley Hospital for Children and worked for Margaret and Sonny Riggs in their chile business. Fred and Betty went on to start their own chile business which proved to be very successful.

Betty was a lifelong member of the Garfield Pentecostal Holiness Church. Every Sunday morning, she made sure her young boys were sitting in the pews at church. This also, is where Betty truly put her musical talents to use. She was the pianist for the church for several years. She dearly loved praising her lord from the piano bench, leading the congregation of mostly family and friends, singing the old gospel songs that still make your heart sing. Betty, along with the other ladies and members of the church held countless fried chicken dinners and enchilada suppers to support their House of Worship.

Betty drew strength from the hard beginnings of her young life. She knew all too well the lows of life but also enjoyed many days of a life well lived. From the fruits of their hard labor the family relished in many days of joining family and friends in the mountains fishing and hunting. Spending many Sunday afternoons at Dale Wood's Grove playing games and picnicking with extended family members and friends.

When Betty's eye sight began to fail, she and Papa would make their mostly daily trip to the Arrey Cafe where grandma would enjoy her favorite dish, a green chile enchilada. They would converse with the other patrons and Sylvia's crew. They truly became like a family.



The family Betty left behind to carry on her legacy of strength, faith, and complete belief in the Lord Jesus Christ are her sons, Gary Don Riggs (Christine), Les Riggs (Cheryl), and Vance (Beth). Eleven grandchildren, Jason Riggs, Jennifer Green, Clinton Riggs, Denise Rosser, Amie Green, Shane Riggs, Dusty Riggs, Stacy Riggs, Kimberly Archer, Brett Riggs and Jessica Taylor and their spouses Kendra Riggs, Joshua Green, Lynell Riggs, Bryan Rosser, Heather Riggs, Jody Riggs, Brent Archer, Randa Riggs, and Cody Taylor. Also left to carry on are 31 and counting great grandchildren. Betty had several very special people waiting for her in Heaven, most of all her beloved Husband of 72 years, Fred and her eldest son Freddie Paul Riggs. Also, there to greet her are her parents Oliver and Ada Francis Allen, two brothers, Wilfred King and Ardley King, and a sister Joyce McDowell. As well as her grandson-in-law, Ryan Green and a great grandson, Gary Edward Green.

Betty was an exceptionally strong person, strong in her perseverance and determination, but especially in her dedication, faith, and love of her creator Jesus Christ. Betty has no more clouds in her sky, no more tears in her eyes, no more sickness, no more burdens to bear, Jesus has taken her by the hand, led her to the promised land to walk forever more on that Golden Shore. What a glorious day!



Graveside services will be held at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Hatch, New Mexico on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:00 am. Pallbearers will be Jason Riggs, Clinton Riggs, Shane Riggs, Dusty Riggs, Brett Riggs and Tappen Gray.

Service Details.
Graveside Saturday, January 14, 2023 | 10:00am When
Saturday, January 14, 2023 10:00am
Location
Hatch Memorial Gardens
Address
Address Not Available