Robert Freeman Riggins

Robert Freeman Riggins, 91, retired from Tennessee Valley Authority and resident of Olive Street in Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, May 17, 2008 at NHC Hillview. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Doris Raider officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the Tennessee National Guard. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1864, Columbia 38402. or Caris Hospice, 1412 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia 38401. A native of Limestone County, Alabama, he was the son of the late Will Riggins and Sarah Terrell Riggins. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps during World War II, and was the recipient of the Purple Heart after being wounded on the Island of Iwo Jima in the Pacific. He was a member of Mooresville Pike Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Sesler Riggins on October 6, 2001 and a son, James Wendell "Jimmy" Riggins. Survivors include five daughters, Shirley (Leslie) Brooks of Columbia, Coletta (William) Poole of Mt. Pleasant, Nancy (Tony) Bennett of Franklin, Carolyn (Gene) Seagraves of Columbia, and Linda (Ken) Maxted of Grand Rapids, Michigan; four sons, Jerry (Mary) Riggins of Culleoka, Joey (Joyce) Riggins of Lewisburg, Charles "Buddy" (Vicki) Riggins of Salem, Oregon, and Billy Joe (Nancy) Riggins of Victorville, California; a sister, Ella Mae Hendrix of Columbia; 24 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers are Jerry Wayne Riggins, Mike Mooningham, Shane Riggins, William Poole, Tommy Craig, and Gene Seagraves. Honorary pallbearers include staffs of NHC Hillview and Caris Hospice, Dr. Linda Monroe, Dr. Joan Bowls, and Elders and Deacons of Mooresville Pike Church of Christ.