Annie Riggin

Annie Riggin, fondly known as “Mrs. Dee,” died on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at the age of 91. Born in Beaufort, N.C., in 1915, Dee was actively involved in the Core Creek Methodist Church, where she served as pianist and sang with the choir. Dee was always a curious student of nature as well as of academic subjects. She graduated salutatorian of her class and served as a North Carolina state officer of the 4-H Club. Her leadership skills were further evidenced in her passion for teaching and serving others: she worked as store manager; later, she was known as a caring board member of MacDonnell’s Children’s Services, president of First United Methodist Women’s Society of Christian Service and beloved teacher of numerous adult Sunday School classes. In 1991, Dee moved from Houma to Baton Rouge, where she led classes at Whealdon Estates, and was a founding member of the Bible Club there. She regularly attended First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, as well as the Tharceon Sunday School class. Dee Riggin is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Deanna and Ray Comingore, Mary Frances and Joe Jones, and Grace and Dave Jordan. Her grandchildren are Knox and wife Paige, Shelley and Wesley Wimberly, Angela and Christina Comingore, Jacquelyn Westerman and husband Craig, Jonathan Jones, and David and Rebecca Jordan. She leaves several nieces and nephews, inclusive of Joyce Kent, Edmund M. Foreman and wife Pat, and Joe Ann Lilly and Roger Sterling Ill. Dee was preceded in death by her husband, Benson H. Riggin; her siblings, Marvin, Alfonzo, Melba and “Bill” Foreman, as well as Edna Earle Respess. In April, she lost a granddaughter, Marianna Grace Wimberly. A memorial service honoring Mrs. Riggin, whose love of family, church and service leaves a legacy of hope and faith, will be held on Monday, Aug. 20, at 3 p.m. at Whealdon Estates, 8680 Jefferson Highway. On Tuesday, Aug. 21, service for Mrs. Riggin will be held at 2 p.m. at Chauvin Funeral Home, 5899 Highway 311, Houma. Interment in Terrebonne Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to MacDonnell’s Children’s Home, 1210 E. Main St., Houma, 70360.