Margaret Louise Smith Smith Riggins

Margaret (Louise) Smith Riggins, 92, a retired registered nurse, claimed the promise of the resurrection early on Monday morning, July 3rd, 2017 at the Runk & Pratt Memory Care Community in Forest, VA.

Born on August 14, 1924 in Norfolk County, VA to Littleton & Sarah Smith, Margaret married George S. Riggins, Jr. on November 26, 1949. Together they resided in the village of Churchland, VA (which eventually became part of the City of Chesapeake and then was annexed later by the City of Portsmouth) until his death on December 20, 1993. She continued to live in the same home until moving to Lynchburg in September 2014.

Margaret leaves behind to cherish her memory a daughter, Margaret Barb of Murfreesboro, TN, and a son and daughter-in-law, George & Rebecca Riggins of Lynchburg, VA. Margaret was also blessed with three granddaughters (Dr. Emily Knowles and her husband Jonathan, Rachel Baumgartner and her husband Niels, and Hannah Riggins, grandson Christopher Riggins, great granddaughter Nora Knowles and great grandson Benaiah Knowles. Her beloved son-in-law, Roger Barb, and each of her seven siblings predeceased her.

Margaret was a faithful and active member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, VA for more than 60 years where she sang in the choir, assisted as a Sunday School teacher, and served in the United Methodist Women.

The family expresses appreciation to the staff at Runk & Pratt and to Gentle Shepherd Hospice for the loving care they gave to Margaret over the past 20 months.

The family will receive friends on Saturday afternoon, July 8th, 2017 in the sanctuary of Monroe United Methodist Church at 3311 South Amherst Highway in Monroe beginning at 3:00 p.m. A service of death and resurrection in celebration of Margaret's life will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with The Reverend George "Jack" J. Davis, Jr. presiding.

A graveside service will be led by The Reverend John W. Cole II on Sunday afternoon, July 9th, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in Evergreen Memorial Park in Portsmouth, VA.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703 or to the Monroe United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 237, Monroe, VA 24574.

To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenparkavenue.com.

Whitten Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Park Avenue Chapel in Lynchburg is serving the family.

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