Richard Grant Riggins, 92, of Barnett, Missouri, formerly of Warrensburg, died Monday, May 25, at Miller County Care and Rehabilitation Center in Tuscumbia.
Richard was born Jan. 31, 1923, in Charleston, Illinois, the son of Albert and Lilly F. (Roberts) Riggins. He was the third of four children. In 1943, he was drafted and served in the Army Air Force. He received an honorable discharge in 1945 and used the GI Bill to enroll at Eastern Illinois University. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Delta Forensic Honor Society while there. He taught speech and drama at Norborne and Richmond, Missouri, and later was a speech pathologist for the Windsor Missouri School District. His real life vocation was preaching the gospel. He was an evangelist of the Church of Christ for 64 years.
He was married to Lucille V. Baker on June 14, 1952, in Kansas City, Missouri. They had four children, all of whom have survived him. His wife, Lucille, died on Feb. 13, 1966. Richard married Wanda Lee Riecke on Aug. 26, 1967, in Kansas City. In 1970, the couple moved from Carrollton to Windsor. He eventually returned to evangelism full time until retiring. In 2007, Richard moved to Warrensburg to be closer to his wife, Wanda, who was in a local care center. Wanda died Aug. 3, 2009. In 2011, Richard moved to Barnett to reside with family. He was an avid reader, especially ancient history.
Survivors include three daughters, Sally Garbi and husband, Louis, of Barnett; Nancy Hume and husband, John, of La Mesa, California; and Rhamonda Riggins and husband, Curt Cox, of University City, Missouri; two sons, Grant Riggins and wife, Cindy, of Bloomfield, Indiana; and L. Alan Riggins, of San Diego, California; stepdaughter, Lynn McConnell, and husband, Robert, of Abilene, Texas; two stepsons, Keith Riecke and wife, Terry, of Kenosha, Wisconsin; and Kirk Riecke of Marshall, Missouri; sister, Sara Moody, of Roseburg, Oregon; 11 grandchildren, many stepgrandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren. In addition to his wives, Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Haden Riggins; sister, Nora Monita Bagensky; and stepson, Kevin Riecke.
Funeral services were Saturday, May 30, at Church of Christ in Carrollton with Louis Garbi officiating. Interment followed in Carroll Memorial Gardens in Carrollton. Pallbearers were John Hume, James Hume, Joseph Hume, Alan Riggins, Curt Cox and Grant Riggins.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Miller County Care and Rehabilitation Center, 1157 Hwy 17, Tuscumbia, MO 65082.
Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.